Expeditions will generate diverse data
Exterior and interior thermal analysis of the rover at lunar noon
Astrobotic’s landers and rovers will generate multiple data sets in the course of their normal operation, which will be available for licensing. Example data sets include:
- Thermal histories of major components of the landers and rovers throughout the two-week lunar day.
- Dust degradation of radiator effectiveness over time.
- Wheel sink and slippage as a metric for soil mechanics across long traverses.
- Micro-topographic maps of selected areas.
Technology partnerships
Astrobotic will evaluate new technologies for possible incorporation into its landers and rovers. In some cases, adoption of a new technology will hinge on securing a partnership where Astrobotic gains access to the technology in exchange for providing the developer with flight experience.
Time sharing
Astrobotic landers and rovers will be available for tasking on an hourly or daily basis. In many cases, the initial several days of an expedition will be devoted to a specific goal and when that’s completed, the cost of renting their services will be very affordable.
Initially scouting rovers equipped with high-definition cameras will be available, followed by robots with drills to acquire soil samples and analytical equipment to study them. Subsequent robots will be able to excavate, build infrastructure, and roam extensively. Eventually a suite of robots with diverse skills will be available for rent on the lunar surface to enable affordable preparations for research outposts and permanent human settlements.
Media services
High definition 3D video from the Moon is a form of time sharing, as Astrobotic rovers provide media outlets with licensable video rights of the lunar frontier’s creation. More information is available in the “HD and 3D video content” section.
