A number of missions are set for the moon before this decade is over. In addition to the Artemis program, the European Space Agency (ESA), the China National Space Agency (CNSA), Roscosmos and other space agencies have their own ambitious plans. This includes sending robotic missions to characterize the local environment, scouting out resources, and paving the way for permanent human outposts.
The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) also has some very interesting moon missions in mind. JAXA not only works with NASA on the Artemis program and helps develop the Lunar Gateway, but also has the radical idea of sending a transforming rover to the moon. The data collected by this rover will be used to determine the design of a pressurized rover that will allow for a sustained human presence on the moon.
It all started in 2016 when JAXA’s Space Exploration Innovation Hub issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for lunar exploration concepts. By 2019, this led to a conceptual study for a manned, pressurized rover that would enable Artemis astronauts (and partner space agencies) to conduct off-vehicle activities (also known as “moonwalks”) far from surface habitat or space To perform landing side? ˅.
The transforming robot concept before the transformation (left) and after (right). Photo credit: JAXA / TOMY / Sony / Doshisha University
As JAXA Vice President Sasaki Hiroshi explained in a recent JAXA press release, the decision of the Japanese government to participate in the Artemis program in 2019 also played a decisive role:
“Based on the decision, JAXA has promoted mission development and systems studies for international space exploration with targets on the Moon and Mars by gathering Japanese technology and knowledge. In particular, the manned pressure rover will play an important role in developing mobility on the lunar surface for sustainable exploration activities.
“The lunar surface data can be obtained using the transformable lunar robot, which is a production of the Space Exploration Innovation Hub and the commercial company’s lunar landing emissions. By making optimal use of the data, we will certainly continue the study of the manned print rover. “
A key aspect of this study was the development of autonomous driving and cruising technologies. This is necessary when navigating the unknown and uniquely challenging lunar environment, where local gravity is about 1/6 of the Earth’s gravity and the surface is covered with extremely fine regolith (“moon dust”). However, the study team also concluded that more data on the lunar surface is needed before such technology can be realized.
As a result, in 2021 JAXA partnered with TOMY Company (a toy manufacturer), electronics giant Sony, and engineers from Doshisha University to jointly develop an ultra-compact and ultra-light robotic explorer. The resulting design included miniaturization technologies from TOMY and Doshisha University, electronic control systems from Sony, and space-related development technologies from JAXA.
Illustration of NASA astronauts on the south lunar pole. Photo credit: NASA
Tomimaya Kantaro, Chairman and CEO of TOMY, was also quoted in the JAXA press release. The toy company founded by his grandfather is, as he said, ideally suited for developing complex robotic systems:
“‘Only in a country with advanced science and technology can toys be improved.” These are the words of my grandfather, the company’s founder. Our ingenuity in promoting advanced science and technology, and our unique ideas and technologies as a toy company, have surprised and impressed many children. I believe that, as a toy company, we have the know-how to attract children better than anyone.
“Since the foundation, we have been making toys with safe and reliable quality, a craftsmanship with a love for detail, flexible imagination and above all a strong will to make children smile. I sincerely hope that we will take this opportunity to use it for space exploration and give children a greater interest in science, including space. “
Most importantly, the robot can transform itself to be ultra-compact and ultra-light, which makes it cheaper to start and requires significantly less transport volume. During the flight, the robot is stowed in its compact configuration on board and then transformed into its rover configuration as soon as it is brought to the moon in a lunar lander.
As you can see in Fig. 1 (shown above), the robot is spherical in shape, with wheels that fold up and extend horizontally along a central chassis. A science suite is also included in the chassis, as well as a brake arm that keeps the rover upright when it’s not in motion. As it travels across the lunar surface, it collects images of the lunar surface to map its features and characterize the behavior of its regolith.
The lander is provided by Tokyo-based commercial lunar research company ispace, a company that emerged from the Google Lunar XPRIZE competition – in which they were one of the five finalists (Team HAKUTO). In April 2021, following an open bidding process, JAXA selected the company to provide lunar transportation services and data acquisition for their robotic mission.
With the designation M1 (planned for 2022) ispace will transport the transforming rover to the moon as part of its HAKUTO-R program – the world’s first commercial lunar exploration program. The lander will also take pictures of the surface and act as a relay with mission controllers on Earth. The resulting data is then used to develop a location algorithm and determine the impact a manned pressurized rover will have on the local regolith.
This is an important consideration as lunar regolith is extremely abrasive and sticks to anything (as a result of static electricity), which can have a devastating effect on mission hardware and astronaut health. Because the moon is an airless body with only 1/6 of the earth’s gravity, clouds of dust generated by landers, rovers, and other vehicles can travel great distances and cause disruption elsewhere.
In the meantime, JAXA will continue to conduct studies on lunar exploration technologies and landing options, which it intends to conduct in collaboration with other space agencies and commercial partners.
Further reading: JAXA, ispace
Like this:
Loading…
Comments are closed.