Moon Ranger
MoonRanger is the size of a suitcase and weighs about seven pounds when it is on the Moon. While exploring, it autonomously senses terrain, navigates, estimates its location, and builds maps. It also measures the concentration of hydrogen proportional to the water that underlies its route. It does not carry a radio to directly communicate with Earth, so exploration must be completely autonomous for any traverses out of WiFi range of its lander.
On the wheel module, I led ANSYS FEA for structural and vibrational analysis of the rover to validate design decisions.This modal, harmonic, and random vibration analysis validated component and assembly launch survivability.
I was responsible for systematic redesign of the MoonRanger Wheel Module in order to optimize the system’s stiffness to mass ratio and validate that the first mode under a harmonic load is above 150Hz. These goals ensured that the wheel module survives the high loading and vibrations that will be applied to it as it begins its travel to the moon. I accomplished this via wheel module component redesign. Solidworks static and frequency studies were utilized to validate design changes.
TOP SKILLS UTILIZED
ANSYS FEA
STRUCTURAL & VIBRATIONAL ANALYSIS
SOLIDWORKS FEA
TOPOLOGY OPTIMIZATION
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