The overall design of the drill platform can be categorized into four main areas. The platform frame, drill frame, suspension, and electric control system summarize Cardinal D.E.E.P.’s extents in the design plan. Platform Frame The main concern of the frame structure is a balance of form, weight, and strength. The prototype will be constructed of sheet aluminum to meet the above criterion. A 12” X 24” rectangular base made rigid with supports will be extended upward with walls to a height half of that required to contain all enclosed equipment. Additional supports will be added along the base of the frame to support the suspension contacts and trailer-rover connection. This connection will be in the form of a fifth wheel hitch with power transmission capability. Drill Frame The drill frame will consist of two linear actuators. The base actuator (A) will be attached to the platform base in a horizontal position. This actuator will swing raise the second actuator (B) with a horizontal movement, directing a solid rod attached by pins to both the top of the second actuator and the slide on actuator A. Actuator B will be attached to the platform frame at the base end by a pin, thus allowing the pendulum like movement. The drill will connect to the slide on actuator B, and will be capable of vertical movement along this actuator. The current actuators the Team is considering are made of aluminum, utilize 12 Volts, and are capable of 100 pounds force when under load and 40 pounds force with no load. Figure 7 – Representation of Linear Actuator Lift If more cost effective, the linear actuators can be replaced with hydraulic pistons of the same length. Our research has shown that this option will require a larger footprint within the enclosure due to the pump. Suspension The suspension design was greatly taken from that of the Chariot seen on our trip to JSC. The front two wheels will be castered, allowing for a smaller turning radius with the fifth wheel. They will be solid aluminum and 10” in diameter. The back two wheels will also be 10” in diameter, but will mimic the current rover’s suspension type aluminum wheels. Figure 8 – Shock Absorbing Wheel This feature, in concert with shock absorbers, will give full vibration absorption in the X, Y and Z plane while drilling. All four wheels will have a pair of shock absorbers covered by a sock to protect from the elements. Due to monetary constraints, we will be prototyping with 5” diameter steel wheels. The front wheels will still be on casters. Electric Control System The control system for the platform will consist of several dc motors, batteries, solar cells, and a microcontroller to coordinate those units. Motors will be require to raise and lower the drill, spin the drill, and run the linear actuators. Several batteries will be required to supple power to the entire system. Solar cells will be mounted to free areas of the platform to ensure power regeneration. All dc motors will operate on 12 Volts. Each must be sized according to the application. The batteries will be rechargeable Lithium Ion and arranged in multiple banks of 12 Volt series cells. The exact quantity of banks will be determined by current requirements and available footprint within the enclosure. The solar cells will be silicon based flexible panels. Small 4” X 4” 6 Volt panels will be connected in series to obtain the required 12 Volts and organized into banks. Flexible panels will be used in order to maximize coverage of available surface area. The exact quantity of banks will be determined when available surface area can be computed. We will be using a MaxStream 2.4Ghz wireless transceiver for communication with DIRECTION. The proposed microcontroller is a 68HC12. This unit will be programmed using a C Programming Language Compiler. The controller will be able to initiate operations for making ready to drill, drilling, making ready for travel, correct charging of batteries through solar cells, wireless communication, and emergency shutdown.