ATHLETE (All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer) is a six-legged roboticlunar rover under development by theJet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). ATHLETE is atestbed for systems, and is designed foruse on the Moon.[1]
The system is in development along withNASA's Johnson and Ames Centers,Stanford University andBoeing.[2]ATHLETE is designed, for maximum efficiency, to be able to both roll and walk over a wide range of terrains.[1]
The project aims to develop a multi-purpose system capable of docking or mating with special-purpose devices including refueling stations, excavation implements and/or special end effectors. The legs have sixdegrees of freedom (6-DOF) for generalized robotic manipulation.[1] Each ATHLETE is intended to have a payload capacity of 450 kilograms (990 lb),[1] in Earth's gravity with the capability of docking multiple ATHLETE vehicles together to support larger loads.
The ATHLETE is much larger than robotic systems previously used and has a diameter of around 4 metres (13 ft) and a reach of around 6 metres (20 ft).[1] Even with this larger size the project has allowed the facility for multiple units to be stowed and docked compactly for launch into an annular ring. This would mean that many vehicles can be efficiently stacked around a main payload on a single lander.[1]
The six6-DOF legs allow more capabilities than other robotic systems such asSojourner or theMars Exploration Rovers. These mean that the slopes it could climb would be up to 35° on solid surfaces and 25° on soft surfaces,[1] such as the soft deposits ofdust found on the Moon. Plans are to develop the system's capability of travel over rougher terrain and to increase the speed of ATHLETE to 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) per hour, 100 times faster than theSpirit andOpportunity rovers.[1]
The JPL is aiming for a 10-year life span,[1] and the capability for re-usabledelivery vehicles would mean that the goal of "an affordable lunar-surface flight experiment that demonstrates this technology on the Moon and subsequently uses it as part of the Human Lunar Return campaign to perform the needed robotic or human vehicle functions on the lunar surface."[1]
ATHLETE's purpose is to supportlunar exploration operations. One hypothetical mission scenario features a mobile, crewed "base" supported by ATHLETEs capable of traversing thousands of kilometers and setting down temporarily to study interesting features along the way.[3]
Planning for the future of the ATHLETE includes the ability to scale difficult obstacles by means of employing a launchable/releasablegrappling hook and line which it will use to haul itself up even vertical slopes. There are also plans to introduce provisions for voice and gesture commands from suited astronauts in proximity to the ATHLETE, the ability to self-deploy from their storage facilities and the capability for "autonomous footfall placement".[1] Work was also done to adapt theTweel technology for use with the rover.
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