ExoMars rover
 A prototype in Hatfield, England |
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| Operator | European Space Agency & Roscosmos |
|---|---|
| Major contractors | Lander: Roscosmos Rover: Astrium |
| Mission type | Lander and rover |
| Launch date | May 2018[1] |
| Launch vehicle | Proton rocket |
| Mission duration | ≥ 6 months |
| Mass | Rover ≈ 200 kilograms (440 lb) |
| Power | Solar array |
| Mars landing | |
The ExoMars rover is a planned robotic Mars rover, part of the international ExoMars mission led by the European Space Agency.
The latest plan is to have a Russian carrier module and lander deliver the descent module to Mars's surface in 2018. Once safely landed on the Martian surface the solar powered rover would begin a 218-sol mission to search for the existence of past or present life on Mars. To counter the difficulty of remote control due to communication lag, ExoMars will have autonomous software for visual terrain navigation using compressed stereo images from mast mounted panoramic and infrared cameras and independent maintenance. For this purpose it creates digital maps from navigation stereo pair cameras and autonomously finds the adequate trajectory. Close-up collision avoidance cameras are used to ensure safety enabling the vehicle to navigate and safely travel approximately 100 metres (330 ft) per day. After the lander has been released and landed on the surface of Mars, the Mars Trace Gas Orbiter will also operate as the rover's data-relay satellite.
Contents |
History [edit]
It is an autonomous six-wheeled terrain vehicle once considered to weigh up to 295 kg, ca. 100 kg more than NASA's 2004 Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity,[2] but ca. 605 kg less than NASA's Curiosity Rover launched in 2011.
In February 2012, following NASA's withrawal,the ESA went back to previous designs for a smaller rover,[3] once calculated to be 207 kg. Instrumentation will consist of the exobiology laboratory suite, known as "Pasteur analytical laboratory" to look for signs of past or present life - or biosignatures.[1][4][5][6] Among other instruments, the rover will also carry a 2 metres (6.6 ft) sub-surface drill to pull up samples for its on-board laboratory.[7]
[edit]
The ExoMars Rover is designed to navigate autonomously across the surface. A pair of stereo cameras allow the rover to build up a 3D map of the terrain, which the navigation software then uses to assess terrain around it so that it avoids obstacles and find the most efficient route.[8]
Payload [edit]
The 2004 instrument proposal -likely to be reviewed- is as follows:[9][10][11]
Imaging system [edit]
- Panoramic Camera System (PanCam)
The PanCam has been designed to perform digital terrain mapping for the rover and to search for morphological signatures of past biological activity preserved on the texture of surface rocks. The PanCam assembly includes two wide angle cameras for multi-spectral stereoscopic panoramic imaging, and a high resolution camera for high-resolution colour imaging.[12][13] The PanCam will also support the scientific measurements of other instruments by taking high-resolution images of locations that are difficult to access, such as craters or rock walls, and by supporting the selection of the best sites to carry out exobiology studies.
- Martian Infra-red Mapper (MIMA)
The Infra-red Mapper instrument is an infrared spectrometer based on the Fourier transform spectrometry technique. This instrument is mounted on the Rover's mast and works in collaboration with the PanCam for target selection. The instrument is designed to measure rock, soil and atmosphere spectra with sufficient resolution to identify the spectral features of carbonates, phyllosilicates, sulphates, silicates, organic molecules, and minerals formed in water.
Drill [edit]
The present environment on Mars is exceedingly hostile for the widespread proliferation of surface life: it is too cold and dry and receives large doses of solar UV radiation as well as cosmic radiation. Notwithstanding these hazards, basic microorganisms may still flourish in protected places underground or within rock cracks and inclusions.[14] The ExoMars core drill is devised to acquire soil samples down to a maximum depth of 2 metres, in a variety of soil types. The drill will acquire a core sample (1 cm in diameter x 3 cm in length), extract it and deliver it to the inlet port of the Rover Payload Module, where the sample will be distributed, processed and analyzed. The ExoMars Drill embeds the Mars Multispectral Imager for Subsurface Studies (Ma-Miss) which is a miniaturised infrared spectrometer devoted to the borehole exploration. The system will complete experiment cycles and at least 2 vertical surveys down to 2 metres (with four sample acquisitions each). This means that a minimum number of 17 samples shall be acquired and delivered by the drill for subsequent analysis.[15]
Analytical laboratory instruments [edit]
The science package in the ExoMars rover will hold a variety of instruments collectively called Pasteur suite;[4] these instruments will study the environment for habitability, and possible past or present biosignatures on Mars. These instruments are placed internally and used to study collected samples:[16][17]
Pasteur instrument suite [edit]
- Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) consists of a laser desorption ion source and a GC-MS spectrometry. The laser desorption ion source is capable of evaporating organic molecules even if they are not volatile, while the GC separates the highly volatile small molecules within the gas chromatograph. The final analysis of both instruments is done with an ion trap mass spectrometer. MOMA is being developed in partnership with NASA.[18] The Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research is leading the development. The mass spectrometer is provided from the Goddard Space Flight Center, while the GC is provided by the two French institutes LISA and LATMOS. The UV-Laser is being developed by the Laser Zentrum Hannover.
- Infrared imaging spectrometer (MicrOmega-IR) is an infrared imaging spectrometer that can analyse the powder material derived from crushing samples collected by the drill. Its objective is to study mineral grain assemblages in detail to try to unravel their geological origin, structure, and composition. These data will be vital for interpreting past and present geological processes and environments on Mars. Because MicrOmega-IR is an imaging instrument, it can also be used to identify grains that are particularly interesting, and assigned them as targets for Raman and MOMA-LDMS observations.
- Raman spectrometer (Raman) will provide geological and mineralogical context information complementary to that obtained by MicrOmega-IR. It is a very useful technique employed to identify mineral phases produced by water-related processes.[19][20][21] It will help to identify organic compounds and search for life by identifying the mineral products and indicators of biologic activities (biosignatures).
External [edit]
- Ground-penetrating radar, called WISDOM (for Water Ice and Subsurface Deposit Information On Mars) will explore the subsurface of Mars to identify layering and help select interesting buried formations from which to collect samples for analysis.[22] It can transmit and receive signals using two, small Vivaldi-antennas mounted on the aft section of the rover. Electromagnetic waves penetrating into the ground are reflected at places where there is a sudden transition in the electrical parameters of the soil. By studying these reflections it is possible to construct a stratigraphic map of the subsurface and identify underground targets down to 2 to 3 m depth, comparable to the 2-m reach of the rover's drill. These data, combined with those produced by the PanCam and by the analyses carried out on previously collected samples, will be used to support drilling activities.[23]
- Mars Multispectral Imager for Subsurface Studies (Ma-MISS) is an infrared spectrometer located inside the drill. Ma-MISS will observe the lateral wall of the borehole created by the drill to study the subsurface startigraphy, to understand the distribution and state of water-related minerals, and to characterize the geophysical environment. The analyses of unexposed material by Ma-MISS, together with data obtained with the spectrometers located inside the rover, will be crucial for the unambiguous interpretation of the original conditions of Martian rock formation.[24] The composition of the regolith and crustal rocks provides important information about the geologic evolution of the near-surface crust, the evolution of the atmosphere and climate, and the existence of past or present life.
- Close-Up Imager (CLUPI).[17]
Russian instruments [edit]
- The Infrared Spectrometer for ExoMars (ISEM).[17]
- Adron will be a neutron spectrometer.[17]
De-scoped instruments [edit]
The payload was rearanged several times. The last major one happened after the program switched from the larger MSL like rover pack to the previous 300kg rover design in 2012.[17]
- Mars X-Ray Diffractometer (Mars-XRD) - Powder diffraction of X-Rays will give exact composition of the crystalline minerals.[25][26] This instrument includes also an X-ray fluorescence capability that can provide useful atomic composition information.[27] The identification of concentrations of carbonates, sulphides or other aqueous minerals may be indicative of a Martian [hydrothermal] system capable of preserving traces of life. In other words, it will examine the past Martian environmental conditions, and more specifically the identification of conditions related to life.[17]
- The Urey instrument was planned to search for organic compounds in Martian rocks and soils as evidence for past or present life and/or prebiotic chemistry. Starting with a hot water extraction only soluble compounds are left for further analysis. Sublimation, and capillary electrophoresis makes it possible to identify amino acids. The detection will be by laser-induced fluorescence, a highly sensitive technique, capable of parts-per-trillion sensitivity. These measurements will be made at a thousand times greater sensitivity than the Viking GCMS experiment, and will significantly advance our understanding of the organic chemistry of Martian soils.[28][29][17]
- Miniaturised Mössbauer Spectrometer (MIMOS-II) provides the mineralogical composition of iron-bearing surface rocks, sediments and soils. Their identification would aid in understanding water and climate evolution and search for biomediated iron-sulfides and magnetites, which could provide evidence for former life on Mars.
- The Life Marker Chip was for some time part of the planned payload. This instrument was intended to use a surfactant solution to extract organic matter from samples of martian rock and soil, then detect the presence of specific organic compounds using an antibody-based assay. [30][31][32]
References [edit]
- ^ a b "THALES : Press Info: Exomars Status". Thales (4-Traders). 5 May 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-08.
- ^ "ExoMars Status". 20th MEPAG Meeting. European Space Agency. 3–4 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
- ^ "NASA Jumping Out Of Joint ESA Mars Mission". Redorbit. February 7, 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
- ^ a b "The ExoMars Instruments". European Space Agency. Retrieved 2012-05-08.
- ^ "Europe still keen on Mars missions". BBC News. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
- ^ "Rover surface operations". European Space Agency (ESA). 7 October 2011. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
- ^ "Amase-ing Life On The Ice". Mars Daily. August 9, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
- ^ "The ExoMars Rover". European Space Agency. 4 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-09.
- ^ "Progress Letter - Pasteur Instrument Payload for the ExoMars Rover Mission". Pasteur Newsletter # 4. European Space Agency. 20 August 2004
- ^ Progress on the development of the ICAPS Dust Particle Facility (DPF)
- ^ Sample Preparation and Distribution System (SPDS)
- ^ PanCam - the Panoramic Camera
- ^ A. D. Griffiths, A. J. Coates, R. Jaumann, H. Michaelis, G. Paar, D. Barnes, J.-L. Josset (2006). "Context for the ESA ExoMars rover: the Panoramic Camera (PanCam) instrument". International Journal of Astrobiology 5 (3): 269–275. Bibcode:2006IJAsB...5..269G. doi:10.1017/S1473550406003387.
- ^ Hand, Eric (March 3, 2009). "NASA pursues Mars methane orbiter". The Great Beyond (Nature). Retrieved 2009-10-13.
- ^ The ExoMars drill unit.
- ^ "The ExoMars instrument suite". European Space Agency. 15 Dec 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-19.
- ^ a b c d e f g "The ExoMars Newsletter August 2012". European Space Agency. August 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-04.
- ^ European states accept Russia as ExoMars partner. Spaceflight Now. 21 November 2012.
- ^ ExoMars' Raman Spectrometer
- ^ J. Popp, M. Schmitt (2004). "Raman spectroscopy breaking terrestrial barriers!". J. Raman Spectrosc. 35 (6): 429–432. Bibcode:2004JRSp...35..429P. doi:10.1002/jrs.1198.
- ^ F. Rull Pérez, J. Martinez-Frias (2006). "Raman spectroscopy goes to Mars". Spectroscopy Europe 18: 18–21.
- ^ Corbel C., Hamram S., Ney R., Plettemeier D., Dolon F., Jeangeot A., Ciarletti V., Berthelier J. (2006). "WISDOM: an UHF GPR on the Exomars Mission". Eos Trans. AGU 87 (52): P51D–1218. Bibcode:2006EOSTr..87...51G. doi:10.1029/2006EO050005.
- ^ WISDOM - the ground-penetrating radar
- ^ Ma-MISS - an IR spectrometer inside the drill
- ^ A. Wielders, R. Delhez (2005). "X-ray Powder Diffraction on the Red Planet". Int. Union of Crystallography Newsletter 30: 6–7.
- ^ R. Delhez, L. Marinangeli, S. van der Gaast (2005). "Mars-XRD: the X-ray Diffractometer for Rock and Soil Analysis on Mars in 2011". Int. Union of Crystallography Newsletter 30: 7–10.
- ^ Mars-XRD
- ^ Skelley, A. M. (2005). "Development and evaluation of a microdevice for amino acid biomarker detection and analysis on Mars". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 102 (4): 1041. doi:10.1073/pnas.0406798102.
- ^ Aubrey, Andrew D.; Chalmers, John H.; Bada, Jeffrey L.; Grunthaner, Frank J.; Amashukeli, Xenia; Willis, Peter; Skelley, Alison M.; Mathies, Richard A. et al. (2008). "TheUreyInstrument: An AdvancedIn SituOrganic and Oxidant Detector for Mars Exploration". Astrobiology 8 (3): 583–95. doi:10.1089/ast.2007.0169. PMID 18680409.
- ^ Leinse, A.; Leeuwis, H.; Prak, A.; Heideman, R. G.; Borst, A. (2011). "The life marker chip for the Exomars mission". 2011 ICO International Conference on Information Photonics. p. 1. doi:10.1109/ICO-IP.2011.5953740. ISBN 978-1-61284-315-5.
- ^ Martins, Zita (2011). "In situ biomarkers and the Life Marker Chip". Astronomy & Geophysics 52: 1.34. doi:10.1111/j.1468-4004.2011.52134.x.
- ^ Sims, Mark R.; Cullen, David C.; Rix, Catherine S.; Buckley, Alan; Derveni, Mariliza; Evans, Daniel; Miguel García-Con, Luis; Rhodes, Andrew et al. (2012). "Development status of the life marker chip instrument for ExoMars". Planetary and Space Science. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2012.04.007.
External links [edit]
- ExoMars lander (not EDL)
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