exoMARSrover

Flagship mission of the AURORA Program

Abstract

In 2001 the European Space Agency endorsed the AURORA Program – the European strategy for the study of the universe. The primary objective is the development of a European long-term plan for the robotic and human exploration of the solar system. The second objective is the search for traces of live on Mars.
EXOMARS is the first flagship mission of the Aurora of program. Expanded biological and geological studies prepare unmanned and later manned research missions on Mars. The EXOMARS mission demands the development of a Mars orbiter, a landing module and the EXOMARS ROVER, which will begin the exo-biological mission in 2009.

For the development and successful implementation of the ExoMars Rovers an intensive research and development activities, particularly within the ranges Rover systems, energy supply, autonomy and navigation are necessary. The architectural office Liquifer developed in cooperation with ESA the design for the prototype of the rover. Apart from the integration of all technical components, the objective was to exemplary develop an unmanned space vehicle by introduction of new parameters, which predominantly concern the design of the rover. For a European unmanned mission this project has to be seen as a precursor.

The Rover - propelled by solar energy – will travel some kilometres on the red planet. The autonomous rover uses optical sensors and special software for navigation. It uses a lightweight compact drilling system, a system to collect and evaluate soil samples and different scientific instruments to search for traces from past or present lives.