Description: Motiv Space Systems (Motiv) proposes a novel integrated, distributed actuation system which operates in extreme environments of the Moon and Mars. The Distributed Extreme Environments Drive System (DEEDS) is a complete drive actuation system for use across a broad spectrum of use cases including ISRU systems, robotics, payload off-loading systems, and mobile vehicles on the Lunar and Martian surfaces. A specific design reference case selected for this development is for a notional Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) traction drive system. This use case covers a wide range of potential applications and should demonstrate the applicability of DEEDS to other applications allowing users to quickly determine an infusion path for their system. This work builds upon Motiv’s successful Dual Axis Controller for Extreme Environments (DACEE) Phase 2 development which has spawned commercial products (Motiv’s Bravo controller) and is in a Phase III activity demonstrating extreme environment manipulation activity for the Lunar surface, controlling all four joints on the Cold Operable Lunar Deployable Arm (COLDArm). The original DACEE targeted an operational minimum temperature of -180ºC as a reasonable representative cold operating temperature in a number of extreme environments. The current State of the Art actuation systems utilize drive electronics and lubricants that must be kept warm to function and, in extreme environments, to survive. The DEEDS system will require no external heaters for operation at -180°C through its use of DACEE controller technology and JPL’s commercialized Bulk Metallic Glass (BMG) planetary gear technology. For wet-lubricated actuators of similar size to DEEDS, heaters can be in the range of 30W for a single actuator. To operate in a permanently shadowed region of the Moon with the standard, wet-lubrication actuators would place a tremendous power burden on a lander or rover. DEEDS eliminates this burden on the power system by eliminating heaters.

Benefits: The DEEDS technology has direct applicability to the immediate needs considered by NASA in support of the Artemis mission to the Moon and eventual colonization efforts of Mars. DEEDS is a modular, scalable torque generation solution that is tolerant to the environmental extremes of the Moon. DEEDS can aid in construction, maintenance, scouting, and exploration. Potential use cases include rovers (both manned and unmanned), landers, ISRU systems, pointing systems, and science payloads.

In support of the Artemis mission, a race has begun to commercialize services and activities on the Moon. Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Astrobotic, Masten, and many more are developing commercial products for applicability to the Moon. These products include landers, rovers, and cargo transports. All potential applications of the DEEDS technology.