Designing a robotic hopping cube for lunar exploration
Tim Hojnik, Robert Lee, Donald G. Dansereau, Jürgen Leitner · QUT ePrints (Queensland University of Technology) · 2016
This paper proposes a mechanically hopping 1U CubeSat-scale payload for lunar exploration.The high energy density of a mechanical compression spring-based locomotion system makes it very attractive for extra-terrestrial operations, especially in lower gravity and thinner atmospheres.The main aim is to record images and perform surface mapping from novel vantage points using on-board algorithms.We demonstrate prototypes of the locomotion and vision systems in terrestrial surrogate environments.We envision similar systems playing a crucial role in supporting the operation of ground-based lunar explorers, such as, mapping, (beyond-horizon) path planning and navigation.