Hypothesized Surface: Robotic Explorer for Hypothesized Surfaces – Rover-Wheel Operations and Surface Environment Simulator

INSTITUTION

Arizona State University (ASU)

CLASS

Tungsten Class (2023 – 2024)

STUDENT TEAM

Donovan Gapiniski, Astrophysics
Victoria DeFazio, Astrophysics
Kaitlyn Ashcroft, Earth and Space Exploration (Astrophysics)
Jacob Toledo, Astrophysics
Noelle Geddis, Aerospace Engineering (Astronautics) and Astrobiology
Bethany Poll, Earth and Space Exploration (Astrophysics)

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL GUIDANCE

Dr. Tracee Jamison-Hooks

ACADEMIC GUIDANCE

Cassie Bowman
Dr. Danny Jacobs

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The goal of the Rover-wheel Operations and Surface Environment Simulator (ROSES) was to test different wheel geometries on a Psyche test bed according to Psyche’s gravitational force in order to determine what wheels will perform best on the surface of the M-type asteroid. Wheels were modeled after previous Mars rover wheels and mining vehicle wheels and were 3D printed. The test bed materials were sourced by the team according to the 5 different hypothesized surfaces in the literature. Part of the science goal was to determine the possibility of simulating extremely low gravity on Earth, and a gantry system was used to reduce the gravitational force on the wheels. The team demonstrated that it is possible to simulate low gravitational force, like that of Psyche, and that no particular wheel model was best suited for the different surfaces, indicating that lander/mobility systems without wheels may be better suited for future Psyche missions.

 

This work was created in partial fulfillment of the Arizona State University Capstone Course “SES 410”. The work is a result of the Psyche Student Collaborations component of NASA’s Psyche Mission (https://psyche.asu.edu). “Psyche: A Journey to a Metal World” [Contract number NNM16AA09C] is part of the NASA Discovery Program mission to solar system targets. Trade names and trademarks of ASU and NASA are used in this work for identification only. Their usage does not constitute an official endorsement, either expressed or implied, by Arizona State University or National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of ASU or NASA.