Dr. Wanping Zheng,Manager of Space Structure of Canadian Space Agency

ABSTRACT

Rovers have demonstrated great feasibility and capability in exploring planets such as the Moon and Mars to understand the formation of planets and the origin of life. As evidenced from past Mars exploration missions, some of the most scientifically interesting sites tend to be in areas that are difficult and also dangerous to reach, such as in craters, steep hills, or in heavily rock-strewn areas, such as riverbeds or valleys. Similarly, the science rich areas on the Moon are expected to be the South Pole, where there is a possibility of finding ice, as evidenced by NASA LCROSS mission, and the central peaks and crater rims of major craters such as Copernicus, where mantle material may be exposed from the impact, giving insight to the origin of the Moon and the formation of the planets. However, many of these science rich areas are in craters or on steep hills, and are difficult and dangerous for astronauts and even rovers to reach.

Microrovers, having low mass, low power consumption, low cost, and using technologies inherited from years of micro spacecraft development, can be used to help reduce the operation risks of lunar human or robotic exploration missions as well as to obtain highly desired science data.

The Canadian Space Agency has started the development of microrovers that can be used, as a stand-alone system or in combination with a large rover or lander, to perform tasks to help human exploration of the Moon, and lunar sample return and science exploration, especially the tasks of exploring areas of rough terrains and steep slopes. The microrovers would be used in three mission scenarios: “Scouting”, Sample Return and Science Exploration. The microrovers have three operation modes: teleoperation mode; supervised autonomous mode; tether-aided descending and climbing mode. They have a mass of less than 30 kg, solar power generation, on-board navigation system, sample acquisition mechanism, and on-board scientific instruments.

This presentation discusses the overall system requirements, description of the microrover design, and operations concept, and the status of development. It also explores the science applications of the microrover platform.

Date:14:00,May 18th,2012

Venue:1512#,YiFu Technology and Science Building