to the moon

1 - No changes on the NASA design which have been tested intensively. As little change to the existing design as possible and as much improvement through extension without exceeding the weight limit. Size & position of the scoops, speed of the rotation and the whole concept of the rover and the necessary mechanics are well tested. That is why the focus of my approach lies on the inside design of the bucket-drum. On my opinion, the maximum efficiency can be achieved through arrangement of the baffles.

The scoops should have the smallest possible width to reduce useless spar-room in any given position.


2 - No movable parts for the solution approach, because you do not want to generate more possible wear and tear on an off-world mining-robot.


3 - Whats leeds to the following solution approach for the inside of the bucked-drum / divide et impera.

First by dividing the whole bucked-drum in to 4 vertical section, to maximize the efficiency of each section. Each section is separated by partition walls through the given width of 90 milimters per scoop.

Second by separating the inside of each section through the baffles in the form of a dual spiral to the center, what will increase fill ratio through separation. The dual spiral is defined through the size & width of the scoops.

through my investigation i came to the following conclusion for average granulation of lunar regolith:

https://youtu.be/-qEwrRGwW2I

https://youtu.be/9J2QNzFOFLs

https://youtu.be/npdTVOYB8d4


A nominal regolith density of 1.5 gramm / cm³ may be assumed



Based on the requirements needed for Submission:

Maximum total width of scoops engaged at any given time: 175 mm
Maximum bucket drum mass: 5 kg
Maximum bucket drum diameter: 450 mm
Maximum bucket drum length: 360 mm
A minimum volume of regolith captured: 17.6 liters

I made the following rudimentary mathematical starting positions:

The maximal mathematical volumen per bucked-drum by 450 mm x 360mm results in 57.22 liter volumen what equals in 85.83 kg regolith what equals at a fill ratio of 50 % in 28.61 liter or 42.915 kg per bucked-drum.

In order i decided to calculate the two following use cases based on the widh of the scoops for:

30 mm what would result at a fill ratio from minimum 50 % in 17.19 liter or 25.78 kg of regolith.

50 mm what would result at a fill ratio from minimum 50 % in 21.72 liter or 32.58 kg of regolith.

First of all, the scoops should be designed so that blockages can be prevented. The adva...