LunaRoo: Designing a hopping lunar science payload

We describe a hopping science payload solution designed to exploit the Moon's lower gravity to leap up to 20m above the surface. The entire solar-powered robot is compact enough to fit within a 10cm cube, whilst providing unique observation and mission capabilities by creating imagery during the hop. The LunaRoo concept is a proposed payload to fly onboard a Google Lunar XPrize entry. Its compact form is specifically designed for lunar exploration and science mission within the constraints given by PTScientists. The core features of LunaRoo are its method of locomotion — hopping like a kangaroo — and its imaging system capable of unique over-the-horizon perception. The payload will serve as a proof of concept, highlighting the benefits of alternative mobility solutions, in particular enabling observation and exploration of terrain not traversable by wheeled robots. in addition providing data for beyond line-of-sight planning and communications for surface assets, extending overall mission capabilities.