The PolAres research programme includes a series of stratospheric balloons, simulated spacesuits and a rover to be tested in the High Arctic. The science focus is planetary protection.

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Welcome to PolAres Programme

...a Mars analogue research programme for human-robotic exploration missions.

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Overview

PolAres is an interdisciplinary programme of the Austrian Space Forum in cooperation with international partners to develop strategies for human-robotic interaction procedures and to emphasise planetary protection, in preparation for a future human-robotic Mars surface expedition.

"PolAres is set up on the vision to provide a profound impact on the efforts to prepare for the exploration of the Solar System, by both helping to enable a Human Mars Mission through stimulating public awareness and testing out concepts and technologies that might help making such a mission safer and more effective."
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During four consecutive years, the interaction between analogue astronauts and an advanced robotic component will be investigated. The programme shall follow a staggered approach: First, a scouting phase shall identify possible Mars analogue sites in Europe and the neighbouring Arctic. In a second step, a stratospheric/mesospheric balloon shall be constructed and launched both as a training project and as a precursor for the Rover phase (phase 3). In a synergetic approach, hardware components like sensors and navigation elements shall be tested before being implemented on the Rover, which shall form the core of phase 3. In a fourth step (phase 4) the man-machine interface between the rover and the analogue astronaut shall be tested, including interactivity requirements development and investigation.

PolAres Schedule Update

27. April - 01 May 2012: Field test Austria

After Rio Tinto in April 2011 this will be the first field test after upgrading the Aouda.X space suit simulator. Proposed location: Dachstein cave systems (upper Austria)



Become involved!

Photo: view into the Aouda spacesuit lab with working PolAres volunteers

This could be your chance to get involved in frontline space research!

We are looking for volunteers for the PolAres Programme!

Learn more