Considerations in Power Electronics and Electric Machine Design for Lunar Exploration Rover Drivetrains

An increasing number of governmental and private entities are conducting or planning missions to the lunar surface. These missions are increasingly incorporating mobile platforms, such as lunar rovers of various sizes, which can be deployed from the lunar lander, and expand (surface) exploration capabilities. At the core of these mobile research platforms lies the electric drive system. In addition to energy storage, key components include power conversion and the electrical machine, which are essential for reliable and efficient operation. This growing interest necessitates an overview of the associated challenges and potential solution approaches to aid the growing number of power electronics and electrical machine engineers in developing such systems.