Intelligent guidance of mobile explorer for Planetary Robotic Exploration

Lunar or planetary exploration missions including landers and rovers are earnestly under studying in Japan. One of main missions for lunar robotics exploration is to demonstrate the technologies for lunar or planetary surface exploration. They will cover landing technology and surface exploration rover technology. Lunar geologic survey will be also performed for utilization and scientific investigation of the moon. The working group has been conducting the feasibility study of advanced technologies for lunar robotics exploration. Unmanned mobile robots are expected for surface exploration of the moon, because mobile robots can travel safely over a long distance. This paper presents a system overview of a developed test-bed rover, a guidance scheme, and some experimental results.