For some time there are talks about a possible cooperation of Austrian Space Forum and ESA on "Phileas" (Mars analogue rover developed during PolAres project). Prof. Dr. Bernard H. Foing - top scientist at "Research and Scientific Support Department" (RSSD) at ESA - suggested to demonstrate an ASF rover prototype during a workshop at ESTEC which is a branch of ESA based in Noordwijk (the Netherlands) where an integral part of the planning of nearly all ESA projects is carried out.
"Dignity" was the first rover built by the Austrian Space Forum. Also it was the prototype for the rover "Sissi" which was in use during the AustroMars mission in 2006. "Dignity" was an experimental rover to gain experience in constructing mission-critical components. The rover possesses a chassis, solar modules, pivoted cameras and a remote-controlled robotic arm. The cameras send video streams to two notebooks which are used as mobile mission control units.
Austrian Space Forum presents ESA its rover
04. May 2009
Austrian Space Forum's rover "Dignity" - predecessor of AustroMars MDRS rover "Sissi" and PolAres rover "Phileas" - received great applause during a comprehensive demonstration at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands.
"Dignity" ESTEC terrain performance
Front row: Bernard Jantscher (ÖWF/PolAres) second from right -
Bernard Foing (ESA), to Mr. Jantscher's right
On April, 1st, demonstrations were executed on ESA's Rover Testing Areal. This areal represents a martian surface with various rock and sand surfaces to test robots and tools. The rover rolled off a simulated landing platform then collected and transported distinct stone samples. Positioning a sample in front of the lense of a Raman spectrometer mounted on a different rover turned out to be the most difficult task. The spectrometer determined the characteristics the of the sample. It was essential to pinpoint the position of the robotic arm on a millimeter's accuracy to prevent scratches on the lense.
"Dignity" worked perfectly and coped with all tasks. It was also presented to other participants of the workshop who made numerous photos and recordings. During the second day a short presentation about the Austrian Space Forum and its current projects was held. That opened opportunities for cooperation with other european research groups who may contribute valuable skills and knowledge to the PolAres subprojects. For now "Dignity" will stay at ESTEC in the Netherlands where it will be used for geological and robotic experiments. Furthermore the rover was introduced during a french science broadcast.
"Dignity" worked perfectly and coped with all tasks. It was also presented to other participants of the workshop who made numerous photos and recordings. During the second day a short presentation about the Austrian Space Forum and its current projects was held. That opened opportunities for cooperation with other european research groups who may contribute valuable skills and knowledge to the PolAres subprojects. For now "Dignity" will stay at ESTEC in the Netherlands where it will be used for geological and robotic experiments. Furthermore the rover was introduced during a french science broadcast.
PolAres Schedule Update
15. June 2012: Deadline Announcement of Opportunity MARS2013 25.-27. Oct. 2012: 3rd Conference on Terrestial Mars Analogues 01 - 28. February 2013: Morocco Mars Simulation
Between 01 - 28. February 2013, the Austrian Space Forum will conduct an integrated Mars analog field simulation in the northern Sahara near Erfoud, Morocco. Directed by a Mission Support Center in Austria, a small field crew will conduct experiments preparing for future human Mars missions mainly in the fields of engineering, planetary surface operations, astrobiology, geophysics/geology, life sciences and other.
This field mission is supported by the Ibn-Battuta-Center at the University of Marrakesh, Morocco. The Austrian Space Forum now solicitates proposals to be reviewed by a selection panel. The deadline for submissions is 15. June 2012, the announcement of the successful experiments will be released on 15. July 2012.
Detail
The analysis of Mars analogue environments on Earth is of paramount importance for the interpretation of the data from past, present and future orbital and landed missions, as well as mission planning (both robotic and human). Sedimentary environments in particular attract strong interest because they can retain the palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental history of the planet and under the right conditions may harbour fossil or present life signatures.
Date: 25. - 27. October 2012
Location: Conference Centre of the Hotel Meridien N'Fis at Marrakech, Morocco Organization: European Space Agency, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, International Association of Sedimentologits, Ibn Battuta Centre, IRSPS, Universite Cadi Ayyad.
Between 01 - 28. February 2013, the Austrian Space Forum will conduct an integrated Mars analog field simulation in the northern Sahara near Erfoud, Morocco. Directed by a Mission Support Center in Austria, a small field crew will conduct experiments preparing for future human Mars missions mainly in the fields of engineering, planetary surface operations, astrobiology, geophysics/geology, life sciences and other.
