Evaluating 1-g testing methods for predicting planetary rover mobility in re-duced gravity

Abstract

Experimental apparatus and techniques for reduced gravity flight testing are being used to systematically evaluate existing Earth-based planetary rover testing methods and develop guidelines for their use and interpretation. Here, three existing testing methods for predicting wheel performance in reduced gravity are evaluated experimentally: 1) reduced-weight testing, 2) matching cone penetrometer response through soil simulant design, and 3) granular scaling laws. Based on these experiments, the granular scaling laws show great promise. The other two methods, however, did not prove to be as successful. Preparations are currently underway for further comprehensive evaluation of the latter two methods.