Estimate the Payload Capacity of the DLR SCOUT Rover by Simulation

Kurzfassung

The rover for planetary caves exploration "SCOUT" is currently being developed at the German Aerospace Center DLR. In general, it consists of three modules compliantly connected together. Each module has two rimless wheels for efficient mobility in very difficult terrain. The middle module contains the power, communication, computer and electronics subsystems. The front and rear module have about 5 dm3 space for payload. The total empty mass is 18 kg. This article reports about simulations with the digital twin to estimate the payload mass capacity of the rover. Neglecting integration of payload into the space and considering only mobility, the rover is still able to move forward or turn on spot on a flat plane in Earth gravity if the additional mass of the front module does not exceed 36 kg and 32 kg for the rear module. Preliminary tests with the prototype confirm the correct order of magnitude of this result. An extended discussion and comparison of simulation and prototype results will be subject of a future publication.