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Technologies Enabling Exploration of Skylights, Lava Tubes and Caves

William Whittaker
Astrobotic Technology Inc.

NIAC 2011 Whittaker Technologies Enabling Exploration of Skylights, Lava Tubes and Caves Final Report

Hole within a planet surface.

Missions to date have orbited and roved, but sub-planetary worlds elude exploration. This investigation proposes to develop technology for venturing underground and conceiving mission architectures for robotic expeditions that explore skylights, lava tubes and caves. The investigation will identify effective designs for mobile robot architecture to explore sub-planetary features. By creating and implementing robotic technology to explore skylights, lava tubes, caves and canyons, this investigation will pioneer sub-planetary exploration.

2011 Phase I and Phase II Selections