Theoretical and Experimental Investigations on High-Precision Micro-Low-Gravity Simulation Technology for Lunar Mobile Vehicle

Sensors (Basel). 2023 Mar 25;23(7):3458. doi: 10.3390/s23073458.

Abstract

With the development of space technology, the functions of lunar vehicles are constantly enriched, and the structure is constantly complicated, which puts forward more stringent requirements for its ground micro-low-gravity simulation test technology. This paper puts forward a high-precision and high-dynamic landing buffer test method based on the principle of magnetic quasi-zero stiffness. Firstly, the micro-low-gravity simulation system for the lunar vehicle was designed. The dynamic model of the system and a position control method based on fuzzy PID parameter tuning were established. Then, the dynamic characteristics of the system were analyzed through joint simulation. At last, a prototype of the lunar vehicle's vertical constant force support system was built, and a micro-low-gravity landing buffer test was carried out. The results show that the simulation results were in good agreement with the test results. The sensitivity of the system was better than 0.1%, and the constant force deviation was 0.1% under landing impact conditions. The new method and idea are put forward to improve the micro-low-gravity simulation technology of lunar vehicles.

Keywords: dynamics; lander; lunar vehicle; magnetic quasi-zero stiffness; micro-low-gravity simulation.

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Application Innovation Plan, grant number 6230114002.