Floatinator: A Low Gravity Simulator to Study Plume-Surface Interactions

Astrobotic proposes the development of “Floatinator,” a one-of-its-kind tunable lunar and planetary gravity simulator for terrestrial testing of plume-surface interactions (PSI) and cratering. In its initial lunar configuration, Floatinator will consist of a hot-fire test chamber capable of being dropped at a controlled acceleration of 5/6g, thereby providing a 1/6g gravity reference frame inside the chamber. Floatinator will be outfitted with a box of regolith simulant and integrated with Astrobotic's Dropinator dynamic test stand to test plume-surface interactions and deep cratering effects under the relevant gravitational conditions. By providing a relevant lunar gravity environment, Floatinator will control for and eliminate a major variable – namely, Earth gravity – that has limited the applicability of all ground-based lunar PSI and cratering testing to date. This novel test platform will enable the collection of valuable data about how lunar lander dust plumes will affect lander systems, onboard payloads, landing sites, and nearby surface infrastructure on upcoming CLPS, Artemis, and commercial missions. Astrobotic further proposes to expand upon this proposed scope of work in Phase II, during which it intends to conduct hot-fire engine testing in this simulated gravity environment.

The proposed lunar/planetary gravity simulator would greatly enhance NASA's ability to test and model plume-surface interactions on the Moon and other celestial bodies. In particular, Floatinator's lunar gravity simulation capability can be used to simulate plume-surface interactions for Artemis and CLPS landings. Subsequent iterations of Floatinator will be calibrate their drops to approximate gravitational conditions on Mars, asteroids and dwarf planets (e.g., Ceres), and the moons of other planets in preparation for missions to those bodies.

Floatinator will enable commercial lander providers, including Astrobotic, to more accurately simulate and model plume surface interactions and anticipate the effects of ejecta on their landers. It will also help university researchers study the behavior of regolith in its native gravitational conditions.

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