Heavy Manipulation Capability
Heavy-Payload Manipulator Configuration
The Heavy-Payload Manipulator Configuration is a 200 kg, six-legged robotic platform engineered to handle and install equipment payloads exceeding 100 kg in lunar 1/6 g gravity. Constructed from aluminum links, heavy harmonic drives, and brushless direct-current motors, the system operates at a power consumption of 1,000 W. Surviving long-duration deployment on the lunar surface requires high mechanical reliability, reflected in a 15-year operational lifetime and a 10,000-hour mean time between failures. To maintain functionality during extensive equipment swaps and infrastructure installation, the reconfigurable assembly utilizes modular, robotic-replaceable joints that permit field maintenance.
Heavy-payload manipulator configuration (Athlete-style) capable of 100+ kg manipulation for major equipment installation.
Purpose
Heavy-payload manipulator configuration (Athlete-style) capable of 100+ kg manipulation for major equipment installation.
Context
Child of L2-ROB-REPR within the Lunar Ark system
Principles
- ▸6-legged Athlete-class platform with manipulators
- ▸100+ kg payload capability in 1/6 g
- ▸Coordinated with L1-MNT for major equipment swaps
- ▸Reconfigurable for different tasks
- ▸Per NASA Athlete heritage
Typical implementations
- ▸NASA Athlete (All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer)
- ▸Industrial heavy manipulators
- ▸Construction robotics
Lunar considerations
- ▸Used for major equipment installation/removal
- ▸Long-life rugged design
- ▸Robotic-replaceable joint modules
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Heavy-payload manipulator configuration (Athlete-style) capable of 100+ kg manipulation for major equipment installation. |
| payload kg | 100 |
Physical
| mass kg | 200 |
| materials | Aluminum links, Heavy harmonic drives, BLDC motors |
| vacuum compatibility | True |
Operational
| power consumption w | 1000 |
| thermal range c | -40, 70 |
| lifetime years | 15 |
| mtbf hours | 10000 |
Interfaces
Provides
- Heavy-equipment manipulation
Requires
- Heavy actuators (~1 kW)
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "Heavy Manipulation Capability" (L3-ROB-REPR-HEAVY). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-ROB-REPR-HEAVY
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.