One of the greatest challenges with large scale power systems is the ability to transmit power over long distances while minimizing inefficiencies and loss. Just as it is on Earth, the most effective method of long-distance lunar power transfer will involve installation of cables for high voltage power transfer. However, unlike Earth, lunar cable installation systems will face extreme environments filled with harsh, abrasive dust, and must be optimized for robotic deployment. There is no existing solution for this capability gap to date. Consequently, Astrobotic proposes to develop a novel lightweight and high voltage cable along with a dust tolerant cable deployment system to enable the installation of long-distance power transmission lines on the lunar surface. These subsystems are comprised of 10kVDC and 10kW cabling that can span up to 4 km as well as a reel that can be mounted to diverse spacecraft such as landers, large rovers, and Vertical Solar Array Towers. Astrobotic, as a developer of VSAT has a vested interest in developing scalable power infrastructure on the Moon’s surface to support the future electrical needs of habitats, ISRU plants, rovers and vehicles, and other critical Artemis technologies. Therefore, the proposed cable and reel system will be designed with dust tolerant components and prioritize a robust, scalable architecture capable of interfacing with a wide range of surface technologies, and deployment from a multitude of spacecraft.

Power distribution and management is one of the three core facets highlighted in Technology Taxonomy area 3 and specifically states that high-voltage power distribution technologies are sought to advance missions for the coming decades. Low mass, high voltage cables are the ideal power distribution solution to support a global power grid infrastructure on the Moon. Multiple VSAT and fission surface power nodes could be interconnected with long distance cabling solutions to provide continuous power across the poles of the Moon.

The cable and reel proposed here are critical enabling technologies of Astrobotic’s lunar power grid, LunaGrid, which will allow companies like Astrobotic to offer lunar "Power as a Service." Astrobotic will use this power for its own landers and rovers and sell it to other lunar lander and rover providers within the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, a $300M annual market.