NASA is testing mini autonomous rovers that will soon be sent to the moon to map its surface.
The rovers are part of a technology called Autonomous Distributed Robotic Exploration (CADRE) and are designed to demonstrate that a team of robotic spacecraft can work effectively together without direct human control.
NASA's rovers are the size of a suitcase and underwent a test drive at the Mars Yard at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where conditions on the moon are simulated.
A series of tests, conducted in August 2023, confirmed that the CADRE mini rovers were able to drive together and adjust their coordinated path to avoid obstacles.
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NASA's mini rovers that will travel to the moon will be powered by solar panels and equipped with cameras, sensors and ground-penetrating radar to map the lunar surface in 3D.
During the tests, only one of the rover models was fitted with a solar panel mount. The other two were able to read each other's battery levels to determine when a break was needed to recharge the solar arrays before continuing their journey together .
Additional tests included nighttime drives in the Mars Yard with special lamps to simulate the strange lighting of the moon.
Following the Mars Yard tests, NASA's mini autonomous rovers underwent vibration and heat teststo ensure their materials are durable enough to withstand the journey to the moon.
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The team also conducted electromagnetic interference and compatibility tests in November 2023, in a specialized chamber designed to absorb radio waves. This confirmed that the rovers' electronic subsystems did not interfere with each other or with those on the lander.
In early March, NASA announced that the construction and testing of the three CADRE mini autonomous rovers were complete and will be transported to the moon sometime this year or early next.
The rovers will explore the Reiner Gamma of the moon for about 14 Earth days, and will work together to study the lunar surface.
NASA's launch of mini rovers to the moon will open up new horizons in space exploration. These small vehicles, equipped with high-precision technology, will be able to explore areas of the moon that are difficult or impossible for larger rovers to reach.
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Moreover, this launch could be the prelude to more private missions to the moon. Its success could encourage private companies to invest more in space exploration, paving the way for a new era of exploration.
Finally, this launch could provide new information about the moon. NASA's mini-rovers could collect data that would help scientists better understand the moon's geology, its surface composition, and the potential impacts of human activity on it.
Source: www.space.com
