Testing of Lunar Surface Vehicles under Simulated Lunar Gravity Conditions 660144
Three different methods of testing mobility systems of lunar surface vehicles (LSV’s) under simulated lunar gravity conditions and the types of mobility test articles (MTA’s) required for such tests are discussed.
A proposed outline for an LSV mobility test program is given which is based on three types of MTA’s. These MTA’s are: a Block I, with a linear scale of 1:1 and a mass scale of 1:6; a Block II, which is essentially the MTA Block I ballasted to its full mass; and a Block III, which has a small linear scale and a mass scale corresponding to the applicable model scaling laws. The MTA Block II requires the use of a lunar gravity simulator; several types of such a simulator are being discussed.
