Advancing Extraterrestrial Exploration Through Automated Ground Vehicles

The project focuses on the development and fabrication of two multi-terrain rovers with autonomous tracking, navigation, and recovery capabilities. Driven by mission requirements for autonomous terrain maneuverability and flexible payload hosting, this team proposes a design that addresses the diverse needs of extraterrestrial exploration. The project features: a rocker-bogie chassis, with six-wheel drive capabilities, that will be providing the necessary stability and mobility across challenging terrains. A mounting place with universal spacing allows for the attachment of multiple payload types, ensuring adaptability for various scientific missions. The integration of micro controllers facilitates communication between the rovers and operators. Two distinct rovers are proposed for this initiative, each equipped with autonomous tracking and navigation systems. The primary rover assumes the role of a leader, taking charge of tracking and independent navigation, while the secondary rover, known as the ”mule”, follows the primary directly. Beyond their immediate objectives, the project envisions future applications for these autonomous rovers, thus a modular design shall be implemented for applications including tracking and communication, the integration of soil sampling analysis devices, and additional scientific payloads.