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 atmosphere. The Pittsburgh-based firm mentioned this marks a significant development in enabling sustained operations on the Moon.
The light-weight, ultra-fast wi-fi charging system proved it may well operate and supply sufficient energy for programs to outlive the 14-Earth-day lunar night time. Astrobotic developed the system in partnership with wi-fi charging supplier WiBotic. They’d help from Bosch, the College of Washington, and the NASA Glenn Analysis Middle in Cleveland.
“That is the muse 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 property want reliable energy on the floor, that is the plug they’ll want.”
Wi-fi energy to allow lunar science missions
A wi-fi methodology of energy switch is essential for automated and astronaut-held programs on the lunar floor, in response to Astrobotic. These units are related 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 permits 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 shipped to the gadget by a transmitter antenna coil.
Below earlier checks carried out at NASA’s Kennedy Area Middle 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 checks
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 checks 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 checks, the system demonstrated correct functioning in a simulated lunar atmosphere with just about no environment.
Subsequent, the businesses carried out an much more life like lunar environmental check in January at NASA’s Glenn Analysis Middle. Throughout these checks, the system efficiently operated inside a TVAC chamber containing simulated lunar regolith often known as a “soiled TVAC,” dropping to -292 °F.
The ultimate two checks, carried out at Astrobotic’s headquarters, ensured the system would survive the trials of launch to house. In late January, the system endured vibration testing. This concerned mounting it to a shaker desk and subjecting it to the vibrations it might expertise throughout launch.
Lastly, the staff carried out electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing. This ensured that the wi-fi charger’s electronics wouldn’t intervene with these of the rocket.
“Passing acceptance testing is a significant 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 fruits of years of design, engineering, and testing, and now, we’re lastly able to take this technique to the Moon. With its effectivity and confirmed reliability, this technique will open the door to a broader vary of science missions, enabling researchers to discover extra areas of the lunar floor, collect higher-quality knowledge, and push the boundaries of what’s attainable in lunar exploration.”
The staff 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 obtainable for superior energy options for house 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%.
