ExoGeoLab Test Bench for Landers, Rovers and Astrobiology Instruments
Bernard H. Foing, Pooja S. Mahapatra, L. Boche-Sauvan, Sanjoy M. Som, J. Page, Carol R. Stoker, J. Zhavaleta, Philippe C. Sarrazin, D. F. Blake, Pantelis Poulakis, G. Visentin, A. Noroozi, P. Ehrenfreund, Alastair Barton, J. P. Lebreton, Tanja Elsa Zegers, D. Koschny, Susanne Peters, Anouk Borst, Euan P. Monaghan · Astrobiology Science Conference 2010: Evolution and Life: Surviving Catastrophes and Extremes on Earth and Beyond · 2010
We have started a small pilot facility with a Robotic Test Bench (ExoGeoLab) and a Mobile Lab Habitat (ExoHab). They can be used to validate concepts and external instruments from partner institutes. ExoGeoLab The ExoGeoLab research incubator project, has started in the frame of a collaboration between ILEWG (International Lunar Exploration working Group http://sci.esa.int/ilewg), ESTEC and partners, supported by a design and control desk in the European Space Incubator (ESI), as well as infrastructure. ExoGeoLab includes a sequence of technology and research pilot project activities: Data analysis and interpretation of remote sensing and in-situ data, and merging of multi-scale data sets Procurement and integration of geophysical, geochemical and astrobiological breadboard instruments on a surface station and rovers (ExoGeoLab) Research operations and exploitation of ExoGeoLab test bench for various conceptual configurations, and support for definition and design of science surface packages (Moon, Mars, NEOs, outer moons) Fig. 1: Preparation of ExoGeoLab instruments tests of cooperative robotics Goals and methods of ESTEC ExoGeoLab: We integrated instruments integrated in an ExoGeoLab, crossing various techniques. The methodic steps for this hands-on research are: 1) We have procured and adapted instruments to equip a mid-size ExoGeoRover (made available in collaboration with ESTEC robotics section), and a small surface station. 2) This terrestrial payload (instruments, sensors, data handling) has been deployed, operated and used as collaborative research pilot facility (ExoGeoLab), first tested and operated at ESTEC (see Fig.1 ) , and later transportable 3) We performed functional tests of these instruments, and operated them in terrestrial conditions to correlate measurements using various techniques. 4) We have implemented the possibility of remote control of instruments (Fig. 2) from an adjacent mobile laboratory, and a remote science desk. 5) The suite of measurements includes a comprehensive set with telescopic imaging reconnaissance and monitoring, geophysical studies, general geology and morphology context,geochemistry (minerals, volatiles, organics), subsurface probe, sample extraction and retrieval, sample analysis. 6) We have reproduced some simulation of diverse soil and rocks conditions (mixture of minerals, organics, ice, penetrations of water, oxydant, organics) and diagnostics 7) We used these instrument packages to characterise geological context, soil and rock properties (Fig.3) 8) Science investigations include geology, geochemistry, mineral, oxydant, organics, and volatiles diagnostics. 9) After first validations we started to exploit the facility for collaboration with partners that will provide some additional guest instruments, and perform specific investigations, 10) We have organised field campaigns in specific locations of scientific and exploration interest, making use of the mobile lab habitat for logistics support and local operations. 5477.pdf Astrobiology Science Conference 2010 (2010)