Reduced-gravity terramechanics

Reduced gravity on the Moon and Mars significantly affects the mobility performance of rovers. We have developed reduced-gravity experimentation capabilities that are unique in the world. Our automated terramechanics testbed enables repeatable soil preparation and precisely controlled experiments, all within the tight constraints imposed by operations aboard parabolic flights. We have successfully completed 4 reduced-gravity flight campaigns, with the National Research Council of Canada Flight Research Lab (funded by the Canadian Space Agency) and with Zero-G through an International Space Act Agreement with NASA. We have studied implements ranging from an ExoMars prototype rover wheel to an ultrasonic excavation blade, in effective gravity levels and simulant soils faithfully recreating Lunar and/or Martian terramechanics. Based on parabolic flight results, we have developed guidelines for 1-g testing on Earth, using Granular Scaling Laws, that best predicts performance in reduced-g.