Isaac Veen
Research Mentor: Cheng Li
Mentor Department: Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, Engineering
Author(s): Isaac Veen, Cheng Li
Session: Session 6 (3:00 PM – 3:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 96
Abstract
Rovers are valuable tools for the exploration of extraterrestrial locations, allowing scientists to gather data, perform experiments, and more. However, the unique characteristics of these locations can present problems with utilizing the rover. On the Martian moon Phobos, the surface gravity is a mere 0.0057 m/s^2, and with this in addition to its loose sediment, traditional rovers will be unable to acquire the traction necessary to navigate Phobos. Our team created a physical simulation of a rover wheel moving in Phobos’ conditions, allowing us to test different wheel structures and observe how they would perform in these conditions. We created a tank with an elevated rail system that used a motor and circuit to move a custom 3D printed rover wheel. Then we filled the tank with water and a substitute sediment. By using the natural buoyancy of our materials in water to simulate Phobos’ microgravity and using a substitute for Phobos’ sediment, we tested the wheel in conditions similar to Phobos. With this, we found the speeds each wheel was able to produce when given the same torque from a motor, along with numerous other metrics. Our results showed us how a given wheel shape was able to perform as it interacted with the sediment, and also proved that it would be adequate for giving the rover the traction necessary for mobility on Phobos.
