Using a Group of Tumbleweed Rovers to Explore the Surface of Mars

Using a Group of Tumbleweed Rovers to Explore the Surface of Mars PDF Author: Lori Southard
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 192

Get Book Here

Book Description


Low Cost Mars Surface Exploration: The Mars Tumbleweed

Low Cost Mars Surface Exploration: The Mars Tumbleweed PDF Author: Jeffrey Antol
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mars (Planet)
Languages : en
Pages : 46

Get Book Here

Book Description


Low Cost Mars Surface Exploration

Low Cost Mars Surface Exploration PDF Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781720616016
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 44

Get Book Here

Book Description
The "Mars Tumbleweed," a rover concept that would utilize surface winds for mobility, is being examined as a low cost complement to the current Mars exploration efforts. Tumbleweeds carrying microinstruments would be driven across the Martian landscape by wind, searching for areas of scientific interest. These rovers, relatively simple, inexpensive, and deployed in large numbers to maximize coverage of the Martian surface, would provide a broad scouting capability to identify specific sites for exploration by more complex rover and lander missions.Antol, Jeffrey and Calhoun, Philip and Flick, John and Hajos, Gregory and Kolacinski, Richard and Minton, David and Owens, Rachel and Parker, JenniferLangley Research CenterLOW COST; MARS EXPLORATION; MARS SURFACE; MARS MISSIONS; MARS ROVING VEHICLES; MATHEMATICAL MODELS; FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS; TERRAIN; DRAG COEFFICIENTS; WIND VELOCITY; CONTROLLABILITY; MICROINSTRUMENTATION

Biomimetics

Biomimetics PDF Author: Yoseph Bar-Cohen
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1040056423
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 790

Get Book Here

Book Description
Mimicking nature - from science fiction to engineering realityHumans have always looked to nature's inventions as a source of inspiration. The observation of flying birds and insects leads to innovations in aeronautics. Collision avoidance sensors mimic the whiskers of rodents. Optimization algorithms are based on survival of the fittest, the seed-

Mars

Mars PDF Author: Viorel Badescu
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642036295
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 716

Get Book Here

Book Description
th th Mars, the Red Planet, fourth planet from the Sun, forever linked with 19 and 20 Century fantasy of a bellicose, intelligent Martian civilization. The romance and excitement of that fiction remains today, even as technologically sophisticated - botic orbiters, landers, and rovers seek to unveil Mars’ secrets; but so far, they have yet to find evidence of life. The aura of excitement, though, is justified for another reason: Mars is a very special place. It is the only planetary surface in the Solar System where humans, once free from the bounds of Earth, might hope to establish habitable, self-sufficient colonies. Endowed with an insatiable drive, focused motivation, and a keen sense of - ploration and adventure, humans will undergo the extremes of physical hardship and danger to push the envelope, to do what has not yet been done. Because of their very nature, there is little doubt that humans will in fact conquer Mars. But even earth-bound extremes, such those experienced by the early polar explorers, may seem like a walk in the park compared to future experiences on Mars.

Dynamic Modelling and Trajectory Planning of a Pendulum-driven Tumbleweed Rover

Dynamic Modelling and Trajectory Planning of a Pendulum-driven Tumbleweed Rover PDF Author: François Hogan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book Here

Book Description
"The purpose of this research is to design and develop spherical rovers (tumbleweed rovers) that will enable the accelerated exploration of Mars. A wind-powered tumbleweed rover is a large sphere-shaped lightweight structure that uses Martian winds as its means of propulsion. Motivation for this research stems from the fact that current exploration strategies, such as stationary landers and wheeled rovers (e.g., Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity), travel on the surface of Mars at very slow rates. The contributions of this work are the development of dynamic modelling techniques, guidance strategies, and control algorithms that will allow for accurate simulations and trajectory tracking maneuvers of spherical rovers on the surface of Mars. The motion equations derived in this research capture the nonholonomic nature of rolling without slipping, the contact requirement between the spherical rover and the generic surface, an additional constraint associated with an energy-harvesting pendulum, and the quaternion unit-length constraints. Focus is placed on a general formulation of the problem that facilitates the integration of the holonomic and nonholonomic constraints into the motion equations in a straightforward manner. Numerical simulations involving Martian tumbleweed rovers are performed on complex three-dimensional surfaces resembling Martian craters. In order to control the trajectory of the spherical robot, a model-based controller is proposed to realize steady tracking of the spherical robot about a desired trajectory in the presence of model uncertainty and external disturbances. Finally, linear elastic theory is employed to capture the flexible nature of the tumbleweed rovers outer shell, which is believed to have a significant impact on its trajectory and rolling stability." --

Seeing Like a Rover

Seeing Like a Rover PDF Author: Janet Vertesi
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 022615601X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 331

Get Book Here

Book Description
In the years since the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit and Opportunity first began transmitting images from the surface of Mars, we have become familiar with the harsh, rocky, rusty-red Martian landscape. But those images are much less straightforward than they may seem to a layperson: each one is the result of a complicated set of decisions and processes involving the large team behind the Rovers. With Seeing Like a Rover, Janet Vertesi takes us behind the scenes to reveal the work that goes into creating our knowledge of Mars. Every photograph that the Rovers take, she shows, must be processed, manipulated, and interpreted—and all that comes after team members negotiate with each other about what they should even be taking photographs of in the first place. Vertesi’s account of the inspiringly successful Rover project reveals science in action, a world where digital processing uncovers scientific truths, where images are used to craft consensus, and where team members develop an uncanny intimacy with the sensory apparatus of a robot that is millions of miles away. Ultimately, Vertesi shows, every image taken by the Mars Rovers is not merely a picture of Mars—it’s a portrait of the whole Rover team, as well.

Mars Rovers

Mars Rovers PDF Author: Ty Chapman
Publisher: Lerner Publications TM
ISBN: 1728496926
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 35

Get Book Here

Book Description
Space-loving readers who wonder what Mars rovers are, what they discover, and why they are important are in for a treat with this book all about the fascinating Mars exploration vehicles.

Design and Modeling of a Mars Tumbleweed Rover

Design and Modeling of a Mars Tumbleweed Rover PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book Here

Book Description
A Mars Tumbleweed Rover is a spherical, wind driven, planetary rover. Compared with conventional rovers, a tumbleweed rover can travel further faster and gain access to areas such as valleys and chasms that previously were inaccessible. This paper will present results of the design, testing, mathematical modeling, and computer simulation of a tumbleweed rover propelled by a constant wind loading over a rough surface representing the planet's surface. Results will show different trajectories for specific cases where initial conditions such as mass distribution and angular velocity are varied.

Mars Tumbleweed

Mars Tumbleweed PDF Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781720620402
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 62

Get Book Here

Book Description
NASA LaRC is studying concepts for a new type of Mars exploration vehicle that would be propelled by the wind. Known as the Mars Tumbleweed, it would derive mobility through use of the Martian surface winds. Tumbleweeds could conceivably travel greater distances, cover larger areas of the surface, and provide access to areas inaccessible by conventional vehicles. They would be lightweight and relatively inexpensive, allowing a multiple vehicle network to be deployed on a single mission. Tumbleweeds would be equipped with sensors for conducting science and serve as scouts searching broad areas to identify specific locations for follow-on investigation by other explorers. An extensive assessment of LaRC Tumbleweed concepts was conducted in FY03, including refinement of science mission scenarios, definition of supporting subsystems (structures, power, communications), testing in wind tunnels, and development of a dynamic simulation capability.Antol, Jeffrey and Calhoun, Philip C. and Flick, John J. and Hajos, Gregory a. and Keys, Jennifer P. and Stillwagen, Frederic H. and Krizan, Shawn A. and Strickland, Christopher V. and Owens, Rachel and Wisniewski, MichaelLangley Research CenterMARS SURFACE; MARS ROVING VEHICLES; WIND TUNNEL TESTS; GROUND WIND; STRUCTURAL DESIGN; MARS ATMOSPHERE; SOLAR ARRAYS; LOW COST; SIMULATION