Speaker
Description
LOADER (Lifting and Offloading Add-on Device for EL3/Argonaut Resources) is a concept-stage electro-mechanical system designed to support the European Large Logistics Lander, Argonaut, by enabling the autonomous deployment of scientific payloads and surface infrastructure on the lunar surface. The LOADER concept addresses a key operational challenge for future lunar missions: the safe and reliable offloading of large or delicate equipment in the presence of pervasive and potentially damaging lunar dust.
This presentation will introduce the LOADER concept and explore the potential dust contamination risks associated with its mechanical systems and interfaces. It will provide an overview of mitigation strategies currently under evaluation, such as sealed actuators, passive barrier solutions, surface coatings, and mechanical design adaptations intended to minimize ingress and accumulation of lunar dust. The session aims to stimulate discussion on dust-tolerant design principles and identify synergies with ongoing lunar surface systems development.
