Paper:
Proposition of Microrover System for Lunar Exploration
Yoji Kuroda*, Yasuharu Kunii** and Takashi Kubota***
*Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashi-mita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki 214-8571, Japan
**Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Chuo University, 1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyou-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
***The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, 3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Sagamihara 229-8510, Japan
We developed a lightweight, low-power microrover for surface exploration in space. Such a rover must travel safely over long distances and periods in unfamiliar terrain. We present an exploration mission, scientific significance, requirements, and technology of a rover, proposing mobility using 4 wheels and 1 supported wheel whose suspension is simple and light and as mobile as a 6-wheeled rover.
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