Alternative Locomotion Concept Feasibility Study February 19 2009

Alternative Locomotion Concept Feasibility Study February 19, 2009 AAE 450 Spring 2009 [Cory Alban] [Mission Ops] [Locomotion]

Concept: Snowmobile/Ski Locomotion § Turning: Carve an edge into regolith – Requires turning of skis § Suspension: Provides vibration dampening – Not effective against large objects § Friction drag increases – Power requirement (5% of 40 Wh battery) § Still requires propulsion system § Not recommended for implementation AAE 450 Spring 2009 [Cory Alban] [Mission Ops] [Locomotion]

Concept: Toy Ball Locomotion § Turning/Propulsion: Displace Mass – Hang payload/inert mass • Torque acts on outer ball only § Mass/Volume savings – Driven by system § Implement? – 100 g YES! – 10 kg can do it – Arbitrary No AAE 450 Spring 2009 [Cory Alban] [Mission Ops] [Locomotion]

Ski Concept Backup § Lunar regolith density (1500 -2000 kg/m 3) – 15 x to 20 x more dense than snow – Turning will require large power for long skis • Short skis less stable, more chance to dig into moon § Lack of propulsion – Separate propulsion system required – If stuck on rock, could immobilize rover AAE 450 Spring 2009 [Cory Alban] [Mission Ops] [Locomotion]

Ski Concept Backup 2 § Lunar Friction Drag AAE 450 Spring 2009 [Cory Alban] [Mission Ops] [Locomotion]

Toy Ball Climbing Ability § Summing moments on slope of arbitrary inclination… AAE 450 Spring 2009 [Cory Alban] [Mission Ops] [Locomotion]