Investigating the Impact of Lunar Rover Structure and Lunar Surface Characteristics on Antenna Performance

Abstract

This article explores the influence of lunar regolith and rover structure, such as mast design and material composition, on antenna parameters. It focuses on the distinctive difficulties of communication in the lunar environment, which need specialized antenna solutions. This study specifically examines the performance of antennas on the lunar Rashid rover within the Atlas crater, a landing site on the moon, considering two antenna types: a sleeve dipole antenna and an all-metal patch antenna. Thermal analyses reveal temperatures in the Atlas crater can exceed 80 °C during lunar mid-day. The findings highlight the effect of different materials used as thermal coatings for Rashid rover antennas, as well as the influence of rover materials on antenna performance. Furthermore, this study extends to analyze the conductivity and depth of lunar regolith within the Atlas crater. Given the critical role of antennas in wireless communication, understanding how lunar regolith properties affect antenna performance is essential. This research contributes to the creation of a strong communication system for the Rashid rover and future lunar missions by considering the features of the lunar regolith in addition to the rover’s size and material attributes.

Keywords

• lunar communication
• sleeve balanced antenna
• lunar antennas
• lunar surface propagation
• lunar propagation channels
• Rashid rover