SunChaser (NASALunarTorch)

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This is SunChaser. SunChaser is a heliostat system that reflects the sunlight by using foldable reflective panels that are supported via a telescopic boom mechanism. When the system is in a stowed configuration, the boom mechanism is retracted and folded across the length of the rover. The arms that support the reflective panels are collapsed and are also folded along the length of the rover. To deploy the system, the arms and panels are rotated outwards, and all arms are latched onto the boom. The boom rotates upwards and gets fully extended. By extending the boom, the panels gradually unfold. Once unfolded, the system is ready to reflect up to 10.1m2. The boom front faces are also reflective material to minimise light loss.With all motors and gearboxes stored in the body of the rover, this creates a low centre of mass for incline operations and can easily be thermally insulated. Since the system is designed with mainly hollow sections, it creates a lightweight system to also aid incline operations. Most cables can also be organised within the body. The system also features a 1m2 solar panel and a sun tracker directly above the panel. The system has an angular sweep of 90 degrees for both axes. It can also be partially or fully stowed away by reversing the deployment. The spring-loaded hinges on the panels help aid refolding (not modelled).With all gears being steel and arms, boom being aluminium, we can estimate that the system is ~40-50kg (~25kg of panels, boom and solar panel).Rover wheels credit: Sojourner RoverRing and pinion gear credit: Spiral Bevel gear Z 10-40Moon picture credit: https://www.wallpaperflare.com/black-and-white-concrete-surface-apollo-moon-landscape-wallpaper-281271