Cryo-Compatible Robotic Actuators with Use of Superconducting Materials

I completed a conceptual design of a superconducting electric motor for actuation of robotic vehicles and manipulators in the Permanently Shadowed Regions of the Moon (PSR). Exploration of these regions is of high scientific interest due to the presence of volatiles (e.g. water, hydrogen), and the potential for In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) to support human presence on the Moon.

The design takes advantage of high-temperature superconductors (HTS) whose critical temperature is higher than the seasonal range encountered in lunar PSRs, eliminating the need for a cryocooler. The motor could enable wheel actuation without a gearbox for a rover comparable in size to the Mars Exploration Rovers, with speeds and operating times compatible with long-distance lunar traverses.

This work will be presented at the IEEE Aerospace Conference in Big Sky, Montana in early 2026.

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