Wi-fi charging nodes inside TVAC chamber. | Supply: Astrobotic
Astrobotic Expertise Inc. this week introduced that it has efficiently accomplished flight mannequin acceptance testing of its wi-fi charging system for the lunar surroundings. The Pittsburgh-based firm mentioned this marks a serious development in enabling sustained operations on the Moon.
The light-weight, ultra-fast wi-fi charging system proved it may possibly operate and supply sufficient energy for techniques to outlive the 14-Earth-day lunar night time. Astrobotic developed the system in partnership with wi-fi charging supplier WiBotic. That they had help from Bosch, the College of Washington, and the NASA Glenn Analysis Heart in Cleveland.
“That is the inspiration for a unified, interoperable energy normal for the Moon and Mars,” mentioned John Thornton, CEO of Astrobotic. “We’re providing a wi-fi charging answer that may help cross-agency, cross-industry missions, constructed to outlive the harshest planetary environments. In case your belongings want reliable energy on the floor, that is the plug they’ll want.”
Wi-fi energy to allow lunar science missions
A wi-fi technique of energy switch is essential for automated and astronaut-held techniques on the lunar floor, in line with Astrobotic. These gadgets are linked and disconnected typically, subjecting them to abrasive lunar regolith mud that will accumulate on conventional connectors. This reduces their effectivity and renders them non-operable, mentioned the firm.
When on the lunar floor, the wi-fi system would ship energy from an Astrobotic lunar lander or Vertical Photo voltaic Array Expertise (VSAT) platform. This allows it to energy science missions and rovers to outlive the lunar night time and even present straightforward charging of astronaut-held instruments.
Energy from the supply is transformed to wi-fi energy by a WiBotic transmitter circuit and is distributed to the gadget by a transmitter antenna coil.
Beneath earlier exams carried out at NASA’s Kennedy Area Heart in Florida, Astrobotic’s wi-fi charging system was lined in 4 cm (1.5 in.) of regolith and skilled no efficiency degradation to energy switch.
Astrobotic passes rigorous exams
Astrobotic’s CubeRover with a wi-fi charging node drives as much as a second energy node to cost. | Supply: Astrobotic
The acceptance testing marketing campaign for the wi-fi charger flight mannequin included totally different exams over the course of 4 months. The primary was a thermal vacuum chamber (TVAC) check of the system in December 2024 at Astrobotic’s headquarters. Throughout these exams, the system demonstrated correct functioning in a simulated lunar surroundings with just about no environment.
Subsequent, the businesses carried out an much more lifelike lunar environmental check in January at NASA’s Glenn Analysis Heart. Throughout these exams, the system efficiently operated inside a TVAC chamber containing simulated lunar regolith generally known as a “soiled TVAC,” dropping to -292 °F.
The ultimate two exams, carried out at Astrobotic’s headquarters, ensured the system would survive the trials of launch to area. In late January, the system endured vibration testing. This concerned mounting it to a shaker desk and subjecting it to the vibrations it will expertise throughout launch.
Lastly, the crew carried out electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing. This ensured that the wi-fi charger’s electronics wouldn’t intrude with these of the rocket.
“Passing acceptance testing is a serious milestone — it means the system has met all of the rigorous efficiency and environmental necessities and is now formally flight certified,” mentioned Masoud Arabghahestani, senior thermal engineer at Astrobotic.
“This validation marks the end result of years of design, engineering, and testing, and now, we’re lastly able to take this method to the Moon. With its effectivity and confirmed reliability, this method will open the door to a broader vary of science missions, enabling researchers to discover extra areas of the lunar floor, collect higher-quality information, and push the boundaries of what’s attainable in lunar exploration.”
The crew developed the system beneath a NASA Tipping Level contract awarded by the company’s Area Expertise Mission Directorate. A 125 W wi-fi charger mannequin is now commercially accessible for superior energy options for area functions. A extra highly effective 400 W wi-fi charger mannequin is present process additional testing. This mannequin has seen energy switch efficiencies as excessive as 85%.
