ATHLETE mobility performance with active terrain compliance

The All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer (ATHLETE) is a modular, heavy-lift vehicle being developed to support NASA operations on the lunar surface. This agile system consists of a symmetrical arrangement of six limbs, each with six articulated degrees of freedom and a powered wheel. The design enables transport of bulky payloads over a wide range of terrains and is envisioned as a tool to mobilize habitats, power generation equipment, and other supplies in for long-range lunar exploration and lunar outpost construction. The first-generation prototype transports payloads of up to 300 kg in terrestrial testing, with flight models projected to carry at least 15 metric tons in a lunar gravity environment.