POLARIS Overview
Companies, governments, universities, non-profits, and individuals can send payloads to the Moon on Polaris for $4.5M per kilogram of payload. For every kilogram, we also provide 0.5 W of continuous power and 10 kbps of bandwidth. Additional power and bandwidth are available for purchase upon request. This price covers end-to-end delivery service, including but not limited to payload integration, launch, and surface operations.
Payload Accommodation
Polaris has the capacity to accommodate both small and large payloads, including those with demanding operational requirements such as drills, excavators, and robotic arms. Payloads can be mounted either above or below Polaris’s main deck to achieve their deployment and view factor needs.
90 KG PAYLOAD MASS CAPACITY
Subsystems
Polaris contains all the subsystems necessary to provide payloads with mobility, power, communications, and protection from the lunar environment. It can survive for extended periods in permanently shadowed regions, conduct direct-to-Earth communications, autonomously navigate the rugged lunar highland terrain, and conduct long-duration traverses.
Mobility
Polaris packs a powerful mobility system that has undergone extensive prototype testing in terrestrial rock yards and regolith simulants. It employs four-wheel drive skid steer with independent actuators and a rocker suspension. It features a 55 cm ground clearance and the ability to surmount obstacles up to 40 cm in diameter. With a top speed of 37 cm/s, it can cover tens of kilometers in a single lunar day.
Navigation
Polaris is capable of both autonomous and teleoperated navigation. It uses stereo vision and a combination of inertial, wheel rotation, and Sun sensors to determine its pose, model terrain, evaluate options, and execute drive commands. Astrobotic has developed sophisticated custom mission planning and operation software that enables customers to explore traverse routes and monitor and operate their payloads.
Lander Stowage & Deployment
Polaris is compatible with many landers, including Astrobotic’s Griffin lunar lander. Its lander interface, stowage, and deployment architectures leverage Astrobotic’s deep lander experience, including early testing with Polaris and Griffin prototypes. The delivery of Polaris and its payloads on Griffin or another lunar lander are included in Astrobotic’s $4.5M per kilogram of payload price.
Operations
Astrobotic’s payload managers and engineers are ready to help guide payload customers during every mission phase, from early analysis and reviews through integration, launch, and lunar surface operations. Our Polaris user interface makes it easy for customers to plan payload operations and stream back images and data. We also offer a dedicated space for customers to work onsite at the Astrobotic Mission Control Center while their payload operates on the Moon.
Customization
Polaris can be customized to meet your specific lunar payload delivery and operation needs. Possibilities include regolith excavation, drilling, resource prospecting, power services, and much more. Contact us at [email protected] or click on Plan Your Mission below to tell us about your needs.
Lunar Landers User Guide
CubeRover User's Guide