Astrobotic, a US space robotics company, has completed the final round of testing for its wireless charging system. This innovation will enable lunar exploration vehicles to receive power and travel across the moon’s surface. The achievement was made possible with collaboration from WiBotic, the University of Washington, Bosch, and NASA’s Glenn Research Center.
The wireless charging system is designed to efficiently transfer power to lunar vehicles and equipment in extreme environments, such as the moon’s 14-day-long nights, where temperatures can drop to -180 degrees Celsius. This technology will serve as the foundation for a standard energy system that can work with both lunar and Mars missions, allowing for compatibility with batteries and equipment from various companies.
Here’s how it works: the system sends power from a lunar lander or a Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT) platform, which converts it into wireless energy using WiBotic’s transmission circuitry. The energy is then transmitted to devices via a coil, eliminating the need for manual charging and reducing wear and tear from lunar dust.
The final round of testing took four months, during which the system was subjected to electromagnetic interference, vibration, and the harsh lunar environment. Even when buried under 4 centimeters of simulated lunar dust, the system was able to transmit power efficiently.
The 125-watt wireless charging system is now ready for deployment, while a 400-watt version is undergoing additional testing. Future developments may further enhance the system’s capabilities.