Design of Planetary Exploration Vehicles

The exploration, both robotic and human, of the Moon and the planets requires the use of vehicles to carry instrumentation and later people from the landing site or the outpost to the places to be explored. The aim of the present paper is to consider the design requirements of planetary exploration vehicles, both manned and robotic, mainly for what mobility on the planetary surface is concerned. The objective is to identify technologies that can be transferred from the automotive field, and to show the relevant differences and similarities of operation in so different environments.