The task was to discuss some organisational topics as well as the Phileas Trade Off List and the Phileas Specifications. The participants therefore presented their results of
research and dimensioning which are highly relevant
for the specs of the rover. The question of the mode of
locomotion still needs more detailed information. So
far it is clear that we will not use a caterpillar. The
wheels will rather be metal or rubber but there is also
a possibility to use “wire mesh fence” wheels because
they give us antishock and grip function.
Another issue on the schedule was to fix the dimensions of Phileas. It
shall be convertible for easy transportation which will affect the
definition of its height and mass. Phileas should be able to operate at a
temperature range of minus 25°C up to plus 40°C, but it should also be
able to survive peak temperatures between minus 80°C up to plus 80°C.
We discussed and defined a lot of technical data, so the power bus system
and the power generation (solar panels) as well as the mass, the
environmental limits and the operation mode of Phileas are now
explicitly defined. We also decided that it should be possible that 2-4
people can carry the rover with the help of some bars fixed to it.
Phileas shall perform its daily mission activities for a maximum of four
hours. We also defined the power train, suspension and the driving
speeds which will be a few kilometres per hour. The rover shall be able to
climb up tracks with 30° inclination or more and shall also be able to
operate in an area where there are small obstacles.
The OBDH (On Board Data Handling) system will be
similar to Passepartout. Phileas shall accommodate a
data relay function, allowing for the duplex (TBC)
transmission of data streams from the astronaut in
the Aouda Suit. The rover will also use many sensors
and cameras. To summarize the meeting – another
big step forward has been made!
2nd Phileas Meeting, Vienna, Qasar Technologies
26. April 2008
On the 26th of April some members of the rover team including Norbert Frischauf, Johannes Heissenberger, Mario Lassnig, Aaron Salzer, Willibald Stumptner and Lothar Ratschbacher met at Qasar Technologies in Vienna.
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.
