Mobility performance analysis of lunar rover based on terramechanics

In order to analyze the performance of lunar rover, draw bar pull and motion resistance are analyzed in this paper based on terramechanics. The relationships between configuration parameters (like wheel width, wheel bases et al.) and mobility performance parameters are obtained from the analysis. Meanwhile, the sensitive factors of the motion resistance are found. Then main performance evaluation metrics and indexes of mobility performance are presented, based on which performance comparison of LER-1 and ALR (a new configuration lunar rover) locomotion systems is performed. The method of evaluating mobility performance of lunar rover by simulation is introduced. The analysis results indicate that the new locomotion system configuration ALR has good mobility performance. The study results can apply to the design of planetary exploration rovers for reference.