Lunar Torch

Mobile Lunar
Heliostat
Concept overview
By: Scott Frash
Heliostat Primary Sub-Systems

Spring-Tempered
Polished Mirror
Mirror
Shape Support
Control Frame Battery, Sensors,
and Controls

Solar Panels
(Power Source)

Pitch & Yaw

Sun-Tracking
Rover Slew Drive
The heliostat mirror is “spring loaded” and is deployed
via controlled unfurling towards it’s free-state.
 Fail-safe brake motors connected to cables control deployment
speed of the mirror.
Deployment of mirror is controlled to eliminate vibration and
impact force issues.

Cables Spring loaded brakes hold the cables when the final shape is
achieved, so that energy is not consumed.

Stepper motors with

spring loaded brakes

Rotary Damper allows

360-degree rotation
Spool holds stored cable, and during deployment while
“unwinds” during deployment also controlling velocity.
The mirror is constructed using commonly available materials
and fabrication processes.

Total Area = 10.16 m2

Material is a spring-grade vacuum
compatible steel, for example
stainless 301.

The mirror is formed in its

annealed condition.

Mirror is heat treated to achieve High reflective surface can be

final spring stiffness. achieved via polishing, or
aluminum/silver plating
The mirror’s natural spring state is slightly concave to allow
fine-tuning of flatness.

Cables Control
Concave Free State
Final Shape
The optimal mirror shape can be determined via mounted
cameras which view both the mirror and the projected light.

Mirror Camera (FOV) Sunlight

Detectable
Illumination
Target Camera (FOV)
Target
The mirror structure is efficient and lightweight.

Top and bottom beams maintain

Horizontal flatness

“Side Bends” and spot welded “Tape

Springs” provide structural beam
strength to mirror in vertical direction
The large radius allows these features
to flatten when mirror is stored.
This design is similar in function to that
of an extended tape measure.

Scalable Design: For wider mirrors, horizontal “battens” can

be welded between the mirror sheet and tape springs.
A dual axis slew drive with stepper motors controls the
orientation of mirror.

Dual axis slew drive.

+/- 90 degree rotational range
(limited by cables)
+/- 45 degree pitch range
Additional Pitch/Rotation Images
The power and controls is located at the base of the
structure.

Solar Panels Communication

Total Area = 1.1 m2 and Controls

Battery and
Cameras
Controls

Connector to Optional Sun Sensor

External Power

Note:
Heaters and insulative blankets will surround the sensitive components
as required for thermal management.
Dimensions of Deployed System
Dimensions of Stored System

Notes:
• This design includes a large amount of free space (both inside and outside of the mirror coil)
This is free space that can be used as storage on board the spacecraft for other missions.

• The heliostat and rover can be stored on the spacecraft inside a compartment.
 Mass Calculations
Support Beam: 1.5 kg

Mirror: 83.4 kg

Cables: 1.2 kg
Total Mass: 182.3 kg
Frame: 20.0 kg
Solar Panels: 15.2 kg
Brake-Motors: 5.0 kg
Slew-Drive: 40.0 kg

Controls: 4.0 kg Battery: 6.0 kg

Thermal Management
(not shown): 6.0 kg

Rover: (Excluded)
The mirror in this design can be controlled to be flat, concave, or
convex. Light can be focused or dispersed if needed.

Low Intensity
Reflection Target
Convex Mirror

High Intensity
Reflection
Concave Mirror Target
The energy stored in the spring, can be used to deploy leg
support mechanisms. This would be useful for stand-alone
heliostats that are disconnected from rovers.

Cable

Pulleys

Leg mechanism comprised of

linkages, joints, and latches
Brake-Motor

Legs extend out Legs extend out

and down and down
Frame