Update on the qualification of the hakuto micro-rover for the google lunar X-prize

Abstract

Hakuto is developing a dual rover system for the Google Lunar XPRIZE (GLXP) and exploration of a potential lava tube skylight. We designed, built and tested two rovers and a lander interface in order to prove flight-readiness. The rover architecture was iterated over several prototype phases as an academic project, and then updated for flight-readiness using space-ready Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) parts and a program for qualifying terrestrial COTS parts as well as the overall system. We have successfully tested a robust rover architecture including controllers with performance orders of magnitude higher than currently available space-ready controllers. The test regime included component level radiation testing to 15.3 kilo-rads, integrated thermal vacuum testing to simulate the environments during the cruise phase and surface mission phases, integrated vibration testing to 10 Grms , and field testing. The overall development methodology of moving from a flexible architecture composed of inexpensive parts towards a single purpose architecture composed of qualified partswas successful and all components passed testing, with onlyminor changes required to flight model rovers required ahead of amid 2016 launch date.