Kapvik ("Wolverine")
One of the Canadian Space Agency's two science micro-rovers that can work as helpers for humans (for instance, to dig for an astronaut) or even as a sidekick for larger rovers. Able to scout out tight spaces like caves or crevices. Kapvik can even be tethered to a larger rover to be lowered down very steep slopes where big rovers cannot go.
Technical details
| Target destination | Moon |
|---|---|
| Size (Length, width, height) | 0.85 m x 0.78 m x 1.21 m |
| Mass | 41 kg |
| Speed | 0.1 km/h at top speed |
| Powered by | Electrical power. Batteries recharged by on board solar panels (40 W) |
Highlights
- "Kapvik" is Innu for "wolverine," an animal known to be pint-sized, but powerful
- Its digging robotic arm does double-duty as a mast for sensors that allow it to scan and map its environment to search for minerals, water or ice
- Once it spots a target, the fully autonomous rover can drive itself over to the location, use its robotic arm to dig a trench, scoop up samples and deposit them in the collection cans located on either of its "shoulders"
Built by
MPB Communications.
Partners
Carleton University, Ryerson University, UTIAS, MDA, University of Winnipeg, Xiphos Technologies.
