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

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Passepartout I

04. October 2007

On the 4th of October 2007, exactly 50 years after the launch of Sputnik1, the first ÖWF/PolAres flight hardware, the balloon Passepartout was launched. With this event the Austrian Space Forum was celebrating the first 50 years of space travel.

passepartout_start.jpg

Passepartout's Lift-off

One day after the launch the capsule was found in Hungary and brought back to Austria for data analysis and verification of the hardware components. We are still working on this analysis.

Mission Parameter

  • Launch date: 04. October 2007, 15:49 local time (CET)
  • Launch area: Lustbühel, Graz, Styria, Austria
  • Balloon: 2000 g sounding balloon
  • Balloon size on ground: 2m, Burst diameter: 13 m
  • Ballon gas: Helium, ~5,2 m3
  • Payload mass: 2,45 kg (including parachute and radar reflector)
  • Ascent velocity: 310 m/min
  • Descent velocity: 300 m/min
  • Burst altitude: > 28 km
  • Horizontal distance: ~100 km
  • Major components:
    • Instrument package: GPS logger, Cameras, Environmental data acquisition hardware
    • Telemetry for real-time data relay
    • Radio transmitter for the 70 cm band
    • GSM Track & Track system
    • Bearing transmitter
    • Biological experiment: 100 primeval tadpole shrimp eggs (Triops cancriformis)

Outlook

A second hardware and payload identical balloon could be launched in local and time vicinity for in-flight cross-validation. It is planned to use the technical system “balloon” as a platform for scientific experiments. Optical and biological experiments are in mind.

This event was operated in cooperation with the Space Research Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Österreichischer Versuchssenderverband ÖVSV and the Austrian Armed Forces

Read also (with more pictures from launch)

PolAres Schedule Update

15. June 2012: Deadline Announcement of Opportunity MARS2013

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
25.-27. Oct. 2012: 3rd Conference on Terrestial Mars Analogues

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.

Detail
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.



Become involved!

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

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