Description: The key focus of this Phase II E Effort will be in maturing the CubeRover’s capability to integrate with complex scientific payloads, develop a scalable architecture for implementation of new software modules, and streamlining integration of 3rd party applications. Additionally, the CubeRover’s ability to function with a high level of precision in multi-rover mission configurations will be advanced. These upgrades are suited well for both the advancement of CubeRover’s ability to perform multi-static radar surveying and supporting non-standard configurations such as the CubeRover avionics architecture that will be the basis for the Pilot Excavator rover used as matching investment in this proposal. The advancements pursued in this effort will allow for streamlined command and telemetry interfacing of a radar system via the CubeRover’s flight and ground software and will culminate in a bistatic radar surveying demonstration in an analog lunar environment utilizing the hardware developed in phase II.

Benefits: A low SWaP, ultra-wide band GPR antenna fully integrated with path to flight radar hardware and configured for multi-static measurements is an incredibly attractive science suite for upcoming subsurface investigations on the Moon and Mars. A more modular user interface and robust payload management software is also a necessary addition to the CubeRover product line and would be included for no additional cost in any CubeRovers that NASA purchases.

The detection depth associated with the 120 MHz – 2000 MHz antenna range covers a very wide variety of applications from deep tunnels, buried architectures, utility lines, drainage and irrigation pipes, buried landmines, unexploded ordinance, improvised exploded devices (IEDs), pavement and concrete integrity, etc.