Two aluminum tubes with two aluminum plates, holding tubes in parallel each other. Four stepper motors – two for wheels and two for antenna and camera stands. Motors for a camera stand and antenna was to be with gears with 1.x 3.5 ratio. Gears made from ceramic grinding tools. On a frame mounted an aluminum mirror allowing HD camera’s observation in holding position. On tubes mounted flexible solar panels with angles 45 degree to the center line, solar panels both sides orientation. Aluminum frame and plates will be warped for enforcement with one or two layers for a carbon fiber. This will create “composite’ structure – soft aluminum inside and carbon fiber outside. For mockup all parts except aluminum tubes ordered over http://www.ponoko.com/showroom/TeamPlanB.
Problems:
1. Needs to find flexible solar panels with good performance in temperature range and under of UV and high charged particle’s conditions. Current power capabilities are around 6-8 W total, and in real life it will be around 2.5-3 W. Which is not acceptable at all.
2. Orientation for aluminum mirror.
3. What a minimum distance from solar panel to antenna’s stand rotation axe? (To avoid interference with communication).
4. Protection for a two wheel’s stepper motors. Originally wheel’s springs will give protection at impact, but looks like it will require some carbon’s bees’-comb-like structure for additional protection.
5. Manufacture molds for top layer of carbon fibber (for tubes and plate) with bees’-comb-like pattern.
6. Protection for a gear needs to be decided.
7. Holder for solar panels does not look good.