Payload Adapter / Rover Ramps
Ideal for rovers, satellites, secondary landers, or other large payloads
Above Deck
Views of the horizon and sky
Below Deck
Proximity to the lunar surface
Overview
Griffin is a medium-class lander with flexible mounting options to accommodate a variety of rovers and other large payloads. Its autonomous sensor systems provide a safe and precise landing in even rugged and hazardous terrain, enabling it to support robotic missions such as resource prospecting, polar volatile characterization, and skylight exploration.
Avionics
Griffin’s avionics achieve terrestrial computing speed with high reliability. Rugged, radiation-tolerant computing enables autonomous landing with unprecedented precision and safety in the demanding space environment.
Structure
Griffin’s aluminum frame is stout, stiff, and simple for ease of payload integration. The main isogrid deck accommodates flexible payload mounting on a regular bolt pattern. A dedicated payload adapter and optional egress ramps can accommodate rovers and other large payloads. Four legs absorb shock and stabilize Griffin during touchdown.
Payload Accommodations
Griffin's mechanical interface options accommodate a wide range of payload morphologies. Alternate mounting locations are available as a non-standard service.
475
kg
payload mass capacity
Payload Adapter / Rover Ramps
Ideal for rovers, satellites, secondary landers, or other large payloads
Above Deck
Views of the horizon and sky
Below Deck
Proximity to the lunar surface
Propulsion
Griffin uses a propulsion system featuring next generation space engine technology. Its seven main engines perform all of the spacecraft’s major maneuvers, including trans-lunar injection, trajectory correction, lunar orbit insertion, and powered descent. Four clusters of attitude control thrusters maintain lander orientation throughout the mission.
Communications
Griffin uses a high-powered, flight heritage transponder and a combination of low, medium, and high gain antennas to relay data between the payload customer and their payload throughout the mission. The lander-payload connection is provided via Serial RS-422 or SpaceWire for wired communications and an optional WLAN modem for wireless communications with deployed payloads such as rovers.
Power
Griffin features a dedicated payload power bus to meet a wide range of payload requirements throughout the mission. The spacecraft uses a panel of triple-junction solar cells to generate power and a space-grade lithium-ion battery to store energy. The solar panel is pointed towards the Sun whenever possible to provide continuous power generation, while the battery is utilized when the Sun is not visible or for quick discharge activities.
Guidance Navigation & Control
Griffin’s GNC system uses heritage algorithms enhanced by recent developments in machine vision navigation. Off-the-shelf sensors and standard techniques provide reliability during cruise and lunar orbit, while Doppler LiDAR and Astrobotic’s proprietary terrain relative navigation (TRN) provide unprecedented precision during descent and landing. A scanning LiDAR can also be added to detect and avoid slopes, rocks, craters, and other hazards during landing.
100
m
landing accuracy
15
cm
hazard detection threshhold
Onboard navigation & control systems
Radio/
Doppler
Sun
Sensors
Star
Tracker
Inertial
Measurement
Precision
Navigation
Doppler
LIDAR
Hazard
Detection
Think you want to fly?
Use our online mission design tool to select a destination, define your payload's characteristics, and choose services. You can see the estimated mission cost and submit your mission for analysis by Astrobotic.
