To the Other Side of the Moon
Creator:
Victoria Jian
Current lunar exploration is limited by the bulkiness of traditional wheeled rovers and the Moon’s uneven, rugged terrain. These heavy, wheel-based vehicles struggle to navigate bumpy surfaces and lack agility. But what if a rover could jump over harsh terrain instead of rolling through it? This is where the lightweight lunar jumper robot comes in. By storing elastic potential energy in its flexible materials and releasing it in powerful bursts, the jumper converts this energy into kinetic motion, allowing it to launch across difficult terrain with high acceleration. Thanks to its compact design and light materials, it offers a promising alternative for lunar exploration—one that's farther, faster, and more efficiently.