Astrobotic™ landers and rovers will carry commercial, government and scientific payloads to the lunar surface. The initial mission will have 110 kilograms (240 lbs) of mass available, split between the lander and the rover. Payloads receive power and communications support.
The baseline price is $1.8 million per kilogram on the lander and $2 million per kilogram on the rover, with a $250,000 integration fee per payload regardless of mass.
Scientific and engineering investigators will be able to get their instruments to the surface as ride-along passengers on full missions mounted and executed by Astrobotic Technology. This contrasts with the current requirement for most researchers to either create entire missions or find a way to ally with a mission leader in order to get the access they need. The Astrobotic offer is a straightforward, streamlined buy-by-the-kilogram approach.
Parties interested in Astrobotic™ services should download and read the Astrobotic Technology Payload User’s Guide v2.5 and contact david.gump@astrobotictech.com.
Example: Micro rovers
The Astrobotic lander will be able to carry small rovers under its deck, which can be released to gently drop down the one or two feet to the lunar soil. Video and data from these rovers can be relayed to Earth by the Astrobotic lander, reducing their cost and engineering complexity.
Astrobotic is talking with other competitors for the Google Lunar X PRIZE about carrying their robots on the Astrobotic mission. GLXP rules allow award of the Second Prize to a second robot on a primary mission.
Example: Honeybee Robotics Payloads
Honeybee’s innovative soil sampler uses compressed gas to shoot regolith up a tube into a collection bin. One gram of gas can transport 6,000 grams (6kg) of soil.
Astrobotic Technology Inc. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Honeybee Robotics for payloads on Astrobotic’s expeditions. The MOU covers joint work to develop three payload elements for its rover and another three payload elements for the lander. The payloads include a drill with a 50cm reach, Jet Trencher, Regolith Excavator, Heat Flow Probe, Corner Cube Reflector, and Soil Samplers.
Learn more about the payloads here:
