PEEKBot is a 4-year (2020-2024) collaborative project between an academic team of 10 researchers from 3 institutions (Polytechnique Montréal, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) and Université Laval), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and 4 industrial partners (ArianeGroup, NanoXplore, Dyze Design, Mekanic). It is financially supported by the industrial partners (ArianeGroup and NanoXplore), NSERC (Alliance program) and Prima-Quebec. The PEEKBot project aimed at the design and manufacturing of an innovative lightweight lunar exploration rover made of composite materials that can tolerate the harsh conditions in space (e.g., the resistance to wide thermal cycles).

On the materials side, the team is designing various formulations of high-performance thermoplastic composites, primarily polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and polyetherimide (PEI), and their blends reinforced with short carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, to meet the requirements of the space environment (e.g., high temperature, low outgassing). We are using numerical modeling to predict the mechanical and thermal behaviors of these materials to guide our experimental efforts. In terms of manufacturing, we use these developed materials to produce composite sandwich panels to be used as the main body of the rover. The core of the sandwich panel, after being optimized through simulation, will be fabricated by additive manufacturing. This core will then be joined to two composite skins using the induction welding process developed by the team. Finally, after integrating the different components, CSA will conduct various tests to evaluate the rover’s adaptability to lunar conditions, specifically using an emulated lunar terrain.

The outcomes of this project could potentially have terrestrial applications where climates/temperatures are severe (e.g., Quebec’s Far North, aircraft engine components, rocket launchers, satellites) and will strengthen the roles of Canada and the CSA in the conquest of space.