Demonstration of communication technologies and sensor systems in realistic exploration scenarios with regard to a future Mars mission in the Valles Marineris region.
The project is part of the VaMEx initiative at DLR.
Project Start: 1st August 2024
End: 31st July 2026
Funding Code (FKZ): 50RK2451A
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In the context of VaMEx3, the MarsSymphony project aims to simulate a realistic exploration scenario for Mars, in which a ground-based rover is used in a realistic analog mission for cave exploration. The overall objectives of the project include the development and implementation of innovative communication technologies, in particular the integration of a stationary gateway to demonstrate and test solutions for challenges in non-line-of-sight (nLOS) communication between a rover and the space segment.
The integration of a camera system for sky observation on the gateway represents an important development step towards a detection system for short-term phenomena in the Martian atmosphere and for research into Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). At the same time, the performance of the gateway's scheduling algorithms can be comprehensively demonstrated with this payload.
A network of distributed sensors also contributes to increase the scientific benefit. This network is carried to the ground by autorotation. As part of the field test scenario, the technologies will be tested under realistic conditions in order to gain insights for future space missions and advance the possibilities of interplanetary exploration.
An AllSkyCAM system was recently installed at the Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus on the Zugspitze. The development took place as part of the VaMEx3-MarsSymphony project, which is part of the DLR's VaMEx initiative.
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In the initial phase of the VaMEx3-MarsSymphony project, the team has made progress through the definition and detailed formulation of scenarios for Mars and test environments. Having successfully passed the Mission Definition Assessment, the team is now ready to further define the requirements for each element of the mission.
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Exploring a valley and caves on Mars, searching for life: These are the goals of the German research initiative VaMEx. The Professorship for Space Technology at the University of Würzburg is involved.
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