“One Step Further Into the Unknown” – Lunar Exploration and Patents

 

 On July 20, 1969, with the successful landing of Apollo 11, humanity’s long-cherished dream of “traveling to the Moon” finally became reality. Thanks to the Apollo 11 astronauts, humankind became the first and only living beings from Earth to set foot on another celestial body. To honor this achievement, in 2021 the United Nations designated July 20 as International Moon Day at its General Assembly.

 Since humans first set foot on the Moon, the aerospace field has advanced tremendously. Today, with the ongoing Artemis Program—aimed at enabling crewed lunar exploration and establishing the Moon as a staging point for Mars missions—interest in the Moon and outer space has reached new heights. In this issue, we explore key patented technologies related to lunar exploration in celebration of International Moon Day.

Can orbiting the Moon be patented too? – NASA’s spacecraft trajectory patent

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US10696423, 'Method for transferring a spacecraft from geosynchronous transfer orbit to lunar orbit'

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US10696423, 'Method for transferring a spacecraft from geosynchronous transfer orbit to lunar orbit'

 Because Earth’s orbit and the Moon’s surface orbit face each other, transferring a spacecraft from Earth to lunar orbit required enormous fuel and presented great difficulty. However, according to this NASA patent, calculating the optimal flight trajectory and velocity makes it possible to move a spacecraft into lunar orbit with minimal fuel. This technology has drawn increased attention since the announcement of the Lunar Gateway project, which aims to construct a space station in lunar orbit as a hub for crewed Mars exploration. By leveraging this patented method, more economical space exploration could become possible.

Korea’s lunar lander test system

 Extensive testing is required to verify whether a lunar lander can function properly, especially to determine if it can operate correctly under the Moon’s surface conditions and gravity. For this, facilities and test systems that replicate lunar gravity and surface environments are essential.

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KR10-2794347, 'Lunar gravity simulation system for lander performance test'

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KR10-2794347, 'Lunar gravity simulation system for lander performance test'

 This patent, announced by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, describes a system that simulates lunar gravity and environmental conditions for testing lander performance. It allows flexible configuration of landing parameters such as length and height in various directions. Moreover, the movable frame that suspends the lander model can be freely adjusted, enabling the lander to move in different directions. This makes it possible to test performance under a wide variety of scenarios. The fact that Korea can both build and validate its own lunar landers with homegrown technology is a point of great pride.

Mobility of the future won’t be limited to Earth – Hyundai Motor’s lunar rover

 In recent years, many automakers have sought to transform into “mobility companies” by developing a wide range of mobility solutions beyond traditional cars. Hyundai has also made headlines by filing patents related to future mobility—specifically, a vehicle designed for use on the Moon, often referred to as a lunar rover.

Hyundai Motor Group's hybrid vehicle for lunar exploration
(source: Hyundai Motor Group)

 According to Hyundai’s patent, this lunar rover features four wheels, each connected to a leg that moves independently. With joints incorporated into each leg, the rover can fold its front legs and extend its rear legs to climb slopes more stably. In terrains too difficult for wheel-based movement, it can walk using its legs, allowing it to traverse a wide range of harsh environments.

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US2024-0351710, 'Hybrid vehicle for use in lunar exploration'

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US2024-0351710, 'Hybrid vehicle for use in lunar exploration'

 When crossing short rough patches, the rover mimics reptilian locomotion with a low stance, while for long-distance movement it imitates mammalian gaits. In other words, it adopts motion inspired by animal walking patterns. Most notably, it incorporates deep reinforcement learning, enabling the rover to autonomously determine and apply the most suitable walking style, travel speed, and movement direction for a given situation. This distinguishes it from previous lunar rovers and represents a significant leap forward.

Will Artemis’ dream be realized?

Artemis Program logo
(source: NASA, https://www.nasa.gov/gallery/artemis/ )

 

 Since Apollo 17’s mission in 1972, humanity has not set foot on the Moon for over 50 years. Against this backdrop, the execution of the Artemis Project holds great significance—not only as a “return to the Moon,” but also as the first step toward leaving humankind’s footprints on Mars. With a renewed technological race underway and the Moon once again in the spotlight, the world eagerly watches to see whether humanity can achieve another successful lunar mission.