Xinyi Jiang
Research Mentor(s): Cheng Li
Mentor Department: Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering
Authors:
Session: Session 2 (10:00am – 10:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 60
Abstract
A study was conducted to simulate the performance of the Phobos rover designed for planetary surface exploration, using advanced computational tools. The simulation environment was built with the Chrono physics-based simulation engine and the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to model rover-soil interaction under varying terrain conditions. The simulation incorporated rover dynamics, wheel-soil interactions, and environmental factors to assess performance metrics such as traction, stability, and energy efficiency. Multiple terrain scenarios, including loose sand, rocky surfaces, and slopes, were simulated are considered in the simulations to evaluate the rover’s capabilities. Significant This study aims to gain valuable insights into the optimal design parameters and operational strategies were gained through these simulations. As we plan for simulating the granular particles in the given environment, key insight is observing phenomenon emerged regarding the rover’s interaction with diverse terrain types. The Chrono-DEM framework might effectively captured the complex interactions between the rover’s wheels and the varying soil conditions, revealing the importance of wheel design in maximizing traction and minimizing slippage. On loose sand, for instance, wheels with larger contact surfaces significantly reduced might reduce sinkage and improved overall mobility. Conversely, on rocky surfaces, wheel flexibility and tread patterns were crucial for maintaining stability and avoiding obstructions. The simulation could also highlighted the impact of environmental factors, such as slope gradient and soil cohesiveness, on the rover’s performance. On steep slopes, the Phobos rover demonstrated limitations in maintaining stability, particularly when the soil lacked sufficient cohesiveness.
