Nasa Asteroid Explorer

16-Psyche is the largest M-type asteroid and is theorized to be the remnant core of a planet. Exploring this asteroid can offer many valuable insights into the core of our planet. Our mission was to create a rover capable of traversing the terrain of the asteroid 16-Psyche. Our design is inspired by other asteroidal rovers that utilize hopping to take advantage of the low gravity on the asteroid. What sets our rover apart from other asteroidal rovers, though, is its symmetry and hopping mechanisms. Our rover has a symmetrical pyramid shape, which allows it to function in any orientation. This is important for a hopping rover because it allows the rover to continue to operate regardless of which side it lands on. Our rover operates using spring powered legs that can be compressed to different lengths to achieve different methods of movement. Each of the four legs is controlled individually by internal motors. As they are compressed by these motors, they ratchet into position, allowing each spring to be compressed and held at different lengths. The legs are then released to produce different types of movement. The rover is capable of performing three different types of movement: hopping, galloping, and tipping. The hopping motion simultaneously jumps off of all three legs that are in contact with the ground. This allows the rover to achieve maximum height in order to navigate taller obstacles. The galloping motion pushes off of one leg, which tips the rover back on its two hind legs, which it then jumps off of. By tipping the rover back on its hind legs, the rover pushes off at a 45 degree angle, which is ideal for maximum horizontal movement. The tipping motion is performed for smaller, more accurate movements. This motion involves pushing off of one leg, which causes the rover to tip over onto another side. Combining multiple tips allows the rover to “roll” across small distances for increased accuracy of movement. We will need at least 5x8 ft of floor space