Research project for the 2013 Marshall Space Flight Center Robotics Academy

Principal Investigator: Dean Alhorn

Research Associates: Luc Bettaieb (Case Western Reserve University), Christopher Goodeaux (The University of Alabama), Vadim Linevich (Temple University), Andrew Powell (Temple University)

Project website/repository: code.google.com/p/solarbeam

Abstract: Lack of a prolonged energy source during exploration of dark craters on the lunar surface is a problem that could be solved several ways. Our team determined that an ideal solution for this predicament would not be to tether, but to directly beam solar energy at the target rover. This system, tentatively known as SOLARBEAM, would not only be able to autonomously track the sun using sun sensors, but also be able to use an algorithm to determine the position of the rover and beam energy directly to its solar panels. Currently, a prototype system for use in proof of concept testing is being developed and aims to produce results that will make way for full development to begin.

свернуть