CubeRover: Difference between revisions

'''CubeRover''' is a class of [[planetary rover]] with a standardized modular format meant to accelerate the pace of space exploration. The idea is equivalent to that of the successful [[CubeSat]] format, with standardized off-the-shelf components and architecture to assemble small units that will be all compatible, modular, and inexpensive.<ref name='SI Campbell 2018'> [https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/astrobotic-wins-nasa-award-produce-small-lunar-rover/ Astrobotic wins NASA award to produce small lunar rover]. Lloyd Campbell, ''Spaceflight Insider''. 18 March 2018.</ref>

The rover class concept is being developed by [[Astrobotic Technology]] in partnership with [[Carnegie Mellon University]], and it is partly funded by NASA awards.<ref name='SI Campbell 2018'/> The [[Principal Investigator]] of the program is Andrew Horchler. In June 2019, [[Astrobotic Technology]] was awarded USD 79.5 million to carry 14 payloads to the moon including a CubeRover in July 2021.<ref name='CMU Art'>[https://www.ri.cmu.edu/carnegie-mellon-robot-art-project-to-land-on-moon-in-2021/ Carnegie Mellon Robot, Art Project To Land on Moon in 2021]. Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute.</ref> This would make [[Carnegie Mellon University]] the first university in the world to fully develop a lunar rover and the first American entity to successfully pilot an unmanned lunar vehicle.<ref name='CMU Art'/>

==Overview==

===Concept===

The idea is to create a practical modular concept similar that used for [[CubeSat]]s and apply it to rovers, effectively creating a new standardized architecture of small modular planetary rovers with compatible parts, systems, and even instruments so that each mission can be easily tailored to its objectives.<ref name='SI Campbell 2018'/><ref name='David 2018'>[https://www.space.com/40000-astrobotic-cuberover-moon-launch-2020.html This Tiny Private CubeRover Could Reach the Moon by 2020]. Leonard David, ''Space.com''. 16 March 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.autonomousvehicletech.com/articles/64-astrobotic-to-develop-cuberover-standard-for-planetary-surface-mobility Astrobotic to develop CubeRover standard for planetary surface mobility]. Kevin Jost, ''Autonomous Vehicle Technology''. 8 May 2018.</ref> The rovers are expendable and do not use solar arrays for electrical power, depending solely on non-rechargeable batteries. This allows it to be lighter, have a larger cooling radiator panel for electronics, and have a simpler avionics design.<ref> [https://andrewtallaksen.com/2018/02/19/cuberover-2-kg-lunar-rover/ CubeRover – 2-kg Lunar Rover]. Andrew Tallaksen's blog, lead systems engineer for CubeRover. 2018.</ref>

The CubeRover program intends that standardizing small rover design with a common architecture will open access to planetary bodies for companies, governments, and universities around the world at a low cost, while increasing functionality, just as the CubeSat has in Earth orbit.<ref name='David 2018'/> This would motivate other members of the space exploration community to develop new systems and instruments that are all compatible with the CubeRover's architecture.<ref name='SI Campbell 2018'/><ref name='David 2018'/>

===Development===

| name = ''Andy''

| names_list = <!--list of previous names if the spacecraft has been renamed.-->

<!--image of the spacecraft/mission-->

| image = <!--omit the "file" prefix-->

| image_caption =

| image_size = <!--include px/em; defaults to 220px-->

<!--Basic details-->

| mission_type = Technology demonstrator

| operator = Astrobotic Lab and Carnegie Mellon University

| COSPAR_ID = <!--spacecraft launched since 1963 only (aka NSSDC ID; eg. 1998-067A)-->

| SATCAT = <!--satellite catalogue number, omit leading zeroes (e.g. 25544)-->

| website = {{URL|http://www.astrobotic.com}}

| mission_duration =

| distance_travelled = <!--How far the spacecraft travelled (if known)-->

<!--Spacecraft properties-->

| spacecraft = ''Andy''<ref>[https://www.ri.cmu.edu/moon-shot-web-series-profiles-glxp-teams/ "Moon Shot" Web Series Profiles GLXP Teams.] Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute. April 25, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.ri.cmu.edu/carnegie-mellon-unveils-lunar-rover-andy/ Carnegie Mellon Unveils Lunar Rover "Andy".] Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute. November 24, 2014.</ref>

| spacecraft_type = Robotic [[lunar rover]]

| spacecraft_bus = CubeRover

| manufacturer = Planetary Robotics Lab<ref name='Andy from PRL'/>

| dry_mass = {{cvt|33|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name='Andy from PRL'/>

| payload_mass =

| dimensions = Height: 103 cm <ref name='Andy from PRL'/>

| power = 100 W from 0.5 m² solar panel<ref name='Andy from PRL'/>

| launch_date = 2021 on the ''Peregrine'' lander<ref name='CMU Art'/>

| launch_rocket = [[Atlas V]]

| launch_site =

| launch_contractor =

|interplanetary =

{{Infobox spaceflight/IP

|arrival_date =

|location = Planned: [[Lacus Mortis]]

| instruments = Two cameras with 1936 × 1456 resolution

| trans_band = [[Wi-Fi]]

In March 2018, the team was awarded funds to move on to Phase II,<ref name='SI Campbell 2018'/><ref name='David 2018'/> and under this agreement, Astrobotic will produce a flight-ready rover with a mass of approximately {{cvt|2|kg|abbr=on}} that will fly on Astrobotic's ''Peregrine'' lunar lander to the Moon in 2021.<ref name='CMU Art'/>

A spinoff company was created in 2018, called CubeRover, and it is based in [[Luxembourg City, Luxembourg]].<ref name='Latrell Oct 2018'>[https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/astrobotic-spins-out-cuberover-opens-offices-in-luxembourg/ Astrobotic spins out CubeRover, opens offices in Luxembourg]. Joe Latrell, ''Spaceflight Insider''. 2 October 2018.</ref> Its President is Mike Provenzano. The company has support from Luxemburg and it is expected to collaborate with local universities and companies.<ref>[https://spacenews.com/three-american-space-startups-to-establish-offices-in-luxembourg/ Three American space startups to establish offices in Luxembourg]. Jeff Foust, ''SpaceNews''. 29 September 2018.</ref><ref>[https://medium.com/life-on-the-other-planets-whats-new/cuberover-to-develop-low-cost-revolutionary-rover-in-luxembourg-64a184ac7ef1 CubeRover to develop low-cost, revolutionary rover in Luxembourg]. Kerry Hebden, ''Asgardia''. 8 October 2018.</ref> It is hoped that it will become a hub for small planetary rover design, manufacture, and assembly, as well as a shop.

The first derivative of a CubeRover, a spinoff rover called Iris developed by CMU students, is planned to be deployed on the Moon in 2021 on board Astrobotic's ''Peregrine'' lander.<ref>{{cite web|last=Spice|first=Byron|url=https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2020/may/iris-meets-milestone.html|title=Iris Lunar Rover Meets Milestone for Flight|work=Carnegie Mellon University News|date=14 May 2020|accessdate=31 May 2020}}</ref>

*[https://www.astrobotic.com/2017/5/4/astrobotic-to-develop-cuberover-standard-for-planetary-surface-mobility Astrobotic to Develop CubeRover Standard for Planetary Surface Mobility]. Astrobotic Technology. Press release on 4 May 2017.