Project Info
Rover Mobility Experiments in a Lunar Surface Testbed
Frances Zhu
frankie.zhu@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
To understand how rovers move on the Moon, aerospace engineers typically conduct rigorous testing on a similar rover in an analogous terrain testbed. Over the course of the summer, we will test the mobility limits of our in-house rover in our in-house lunar analogue.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Engineer the tools of scientific discovery.
Primary Contacts:
Bailey Hopkins, Ryan Hartzell, Frankie Zhu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Undergraduate Student Roles
The undergraduate student will play a key role in designing, conducting, and analyzing rover mobility experiments. Their specific responsibilities will include:- Experimental Setup & Testing
- Assisting in setting up the lunar analogue testbed, including terrain preparation and rover calibration.
- Running mobility tests by driving the rover over different terrain conditions to evaluate its performance.
- Adjusting rover configurations (e.g., wheel type, weight distribution) to test different mobility scenarios.
- Data Collection & Analysis
- Recording key performance metrics such as wheel slip, traction, and energy consumption.
- Using cameras and sensors to document rover movement and environmental conditions.
- Analyzing data to identify terrain challenges and determine rover mobility limits.
- Simulation & Comparison
- Assisting in comparing real-world rover performance with existing mobility simulations.
- Helping refine simulation parameters based on experimental results.
- Documentation & Research Communication
- Keeping detailed lab notes on test procedures, observations, and results.
- Creating plots and summaries to visualize key findings.
- Assisting in writing research summaries or preparing materials for presentations.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
10
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
Student Learning Objectives
By participating in this project, the undergraduate student will gain hands-on experience in robotic mobility testing, experimental design, and aerospace engineering research. Their key learning objectives include:- Understanding Lunar Rover Mobility
- Learning how terrain properties (e.g., slope, surface roughness, regolith composition) impact rover movement.
- Gaining insight into the challenges of mobility in reduced-gravity environments.
- Developing Hands-On Experimental & Engineering Skills
- Gaining practical experience in setting up and running real-world mobility tests.
- Learning how to use data collection tools and sensors to evaluate rover performance.
- Understanding the process of iterating on test designs to refine mobility predictions.
- Building Scientific Analysis & Problem-Solving Skills
- Developing the ability to analyze test results and troubleshoot mobility issues.
- Learning how to compare real-world results with simulation predictions.
- Improving Research Communication & Technical Writing
- Documenting findings in a clear, structured way to contribute to scientific research.
- Gaining experience in creating graphs, tables, and reports to summarize results.
- Preparing presentations or posters for potential research symposiums.
MENTORING PLAN
Mentoring Activities
To support the student’s learning and professional growth, mentoring activities will include:- Weekly Meetings & Guidance
- Regular check-ins to discuss experimental progress, data analysis, and challenges.
- Providing guidance on troubleshooting experimental issues and refining test methods.
- Skill Development Support
- Offering hands-on training in rover operation, data logging, and terrain analysis.
- Providing readings and learning materials on lunar mobility and aerospace engineering.
- Encouraging Research Communication & Career Growth
- Assisting in preparing research summaries or posters for conferences or university presentations.
Preferred Student Status
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior