Abstract An efficient characterization of scientifically significant locations is essential prior to the return of humans to the Moon. The highest resolution imagery acquired from orbit of south-polar shadowed regions and other relevant locations remains, at best, an order of magnitude larger than the characteristic length of most of the robotic systems to be deployed. This hinders the planning and successful implementation of prospecting missions and poses a high risk for the traverse of robots and humans, diminishing the potential overall scientific and commercial return of any mission. We herein present the design of a lightweight, compact, autonomous, and reusable lunar reconnaissance drone capable of assisting other ground-based robotic assets, and eventually humans, in the characterization and high-resolution mapping ( 0.1m/px) of particularly challenging and hard-to-access locations on the lunar surface. The proposed concept consists of two main subsystems: the drone and its service station. With a total combined wet mass of 100kg, the system is capable of 11 flights without refueling the service station, enabling almost 9km of accumulated flight distance. The deployment of such a system could significantly impact the efficiency of upcoming exploration missions, increasing the distance covered per day of exploration and significantly reducing the need for recurrent contacts with ground stations on Earth.

    Highlights Sub-meter resolution data is required for an efficient lunar exploration. Lightweight lunar aerobots can aid in the characterization of regions of interests. Design is mostly based on space-proven, high-TRL, off-the-shelf components. The presented design can map a range of 11 km with a total wet mass under 100 kg.


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    Titel :

    A lunar reconnaissance drone for cooperative exploration and high-resolution mapping of extreme locations


    Beteiligte:

    Erschienen in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 218 ; 1-17


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2024-02-05


    Format / Umfang :

    17 pages




    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch




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