Breadboarding the European Moon Rover System: discussion and results of the analogue field test campaign

TL;DR

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive field test campaign for the European Moon Rover System, evaluating its design, robustness, and locomotion capabilities on lunar-like terrain to inform future lunar mission designs.

Contribution

It provides empirical data and analysis on the EMRS breadboard's performance, strengths, and modular benefits from a real-world analogue test campaign.

Findings

Assessment of rover traversal and locomotion modes on lunar regolith

Analysis of rover robustness and wheel deflection

Evaluation of transportation costs and design implications

Abstract

This document compiles results obtained from the test campaign of the European Moon Rover System (EMRS) project. The test campaign, conducted at the Planetary Exploration Lab of DLR in Wessling, aimed to understand the scope of the EMRS breadboard design, its strengths, and the benefits of the modular design. The discussion of test results is based on rover traversal analyses, robustness assessments, wheel deflection analyses, and the overall transportation cost of the rover. This not only enables the comparison of locomotion modes on lunar regolith but also facilitates critical decision-making in the design of future lunar missions.