Module-Based Design Tool for Planetary Rovers

Abstract

Planetary exploration is largely governed by the type and the quality of the science to be conducted on the surface via the scientific payloads available. A robotic platform with some degree of mobility or roving capability would be the most versatile for these exploratory missions. During Phase A studies, the initial design of the rover must be determined based on mission data provided such as, the scientific payloads, the operational environment, mission lifetime, etc. The Rover Design Tool (RODENT) is a software application that assists system engineers and mission designers in this regard, and helps them define the rover on a systems level. This tool is designed in MATLAB, with the use of Excel worksheets as a database. RODENT takes into account all of the major sub-systems of the rover: avionics, communication, manipulation, mobility, power, structure, and thermal. Each of the sub-systems has a unique relationship to the others and ultimately influences the design of rover through an iterative process. RODENT uses these relationships and input parameters to determine a final rover design. First, the user is required to choose the scientific instruments required for a mission from a list of typical scientific payloads that have pre-determined properties. They are also required to specify basic mission information based on the communication architecture and mission details. Once all of this information is successfully entered, the tool uses this data with the aid of the database to output preliminary rover specifications using parametric and mathematical models. Although, this software tool is currently designed for lunar and Martian missions as a primary focus, it does have the potential to be extended for missions to other celestial bodies, as well as being extended to provide more accurate and comprehensive rover details.