Wireless Charging for Moon Rover

WiBotic, a company based in Seattle, Washington, has recently completed the delivery of a cutting-edge wireless charging system tailored for a Moon rover currently in development by Astrobotic. This significant milestone marks a crucial step forward in advancing space exploration technology.

Astrobotic has conducted successful flight tests of its CubeRover, incorporating the wireless charging system through flight model acceptance testing. The wireless charging system is specifically engineered to provide reliable and high-efficiency power transfer in the challenging conditions of the lunar surface, paving the way for enhanced capabilities in space missions.

As part of a $5.8 million project, a 125 W wireless charger model is now available for advanced power solutions in space applications. Additionally, a more powerful 400 W wireless charger model is currently undergoing further testing, demonstrating impressive power transfer efficiencies of up to 85%.

• Wireless charging on the Moon

Collaborating with Bosch, the University of Washington (UW), and NASA Glenn Research Centre, Astrobotic has developed this innovative wireless charging system. Previous tests conducted at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center have shown that the system can maintain optimal performance even when covered in 4 cm of regolith (Moon dust), highlighting its robust design and functionality.

John Thornton, CEO of Astrobotic, emphasizes the significance of this achievement, stating, “This is the foundation for a unified, interoperable power standard for the Moon and Mars. We’re offering a wireless charging solution that can support cross-agency, cross-industry missions, built to survive the harshest planetary environments. If your assets need dependable power on the surface, this is the plug they’ll need.”

The wireless system is designed to provide power from an Astrobotic lunar lander or Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT) platform to the rover and various science missions, as well as facilitate the easy charging of astronaut-held tools. The power is transmitted wirelessly from the source using a WiBotic transmitter circuit and a transmitter antenna coil, ensuring efficient and reliable power transfer.

The rigorous acceptance testing campaign for the wireless charger flight model spanned four months and included various tests to validate its performance and durability. Beginning with a thermal vacuum chamber (TVAC) test in December 2024 at Astrobotic’s headquarters, the system demonstrated its functionality in a simulated lunar environment with minimal atmosphere.

Subsequent tests in January at NASA’s Glenn Research Centre involved subjecting the system to a more realistic lunar environmental simulation within a TVAC chamber containing simulated lunar regolith, reaching temperatures as low as -292 °F. The final tests, conducted at Astrobotic’s headquarters, focused on ensuring the system’s resilience during launch, including vibration testing and electromagnetic interference (EMI) testing to guarantee compatibility with the rocket’s electronics.

With the successful completion of acceptance testing, Masoud Arabghahestani, Senior Thermal Engineer at Astrobotic, affirms, “This validation marks the culmination of years of design, engineering, and testing, and now, we’re finally ready to take this system to the Moon. With its efficiency and proven reliability, this system will open the door to a broader range of science missions, enabling researchers to explore more regions of the lunar surface, gather higher-quality data, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in lunar exploration.”

Looking ahead, CEO John Thornton expresses Astrobotic’s commitment to expanding access to space exploration, stating, “Astrobotic’s goal is to make space accessible to the world, and this system will enable longer duration and more power-intensive missions in the future, greatly expanding our access to the Moon. Astrobotic is proud to be at the forefront of lunar surface power providers.” With another commercial mission planned for the end of 2025, Astrobotic continues to drive innovation and progress in the realm of space exploration.