Impact case study database

The ExoMars rover will be the first to search directly for signs of life: “Key to this quest will be the context instruments PanCam (a multiscale camera system) and ISEM (an infrared spectrometer for determining bulk mineralogy composition), both mounted on the rover mast.” [5.2]. According to a leading ExoMars project Scientist at the European Space Agency (ESA): “The Departments of Physics and Computer Science at Aberystwyth University (AU) have played a key role in the development, calibration, and testing of PanCam and ISEM.” [5.2].

Figure 1: ExoMars rover with PanCam on the mast and the Small Items mounted on the deck (image courtesy of ESA)

Our research has validated the performance of the science payload instruments: “thanks to the results obtained by AU, we have great confidence in the flight instruments’ ability to fulfil their mission objectives.” [5.2].

Our research and development of the PanCam emulator has made key contributions to the preparations for the surface mission:

“(AUPE) has underpinned over a decade of field trials in preparation for Rosalind Franklin’s mission. AUPE has allowed developing analysis tools and techniques, rehearsing operations, and training investigators. The AU lead on the development of an instrument for field testing has proven critical for the design and success of the mission.” [5.2].

This view is shared by the Space Robotics & Instruments Team Lead at Joanneum Research (JR):

“As an important jointly used asset, the Aberystwyth University PanCam Emulator (AUPE) system has been used for numerous laboratory and field trials over the last decade, which have provided test and reference data for our processing pipelines and analysis tools, provided benchmark data for end-to-end validation of workflows and support for field test campaigns to rehearse mission operations and train operators, and enabled industry to calibrate rover instruments, validate the calibration assets, and verify the instruments’ performance.” [5.1]

Figure 2: ExoMars PanCam ‘Small Items’ Engineering Model

(image courtesy of M. de la Nougerede, UCL/MSSL)

Ongoing development of software and processes for operations ensure maximum return from the surface mission:

“the involvement of AU staff in preparing ExoMars has and continues to be fundamental for improving mission design, processes, streamlining operations, and getting us closer, in the not too distant future, to hopefully being able to find traces of life on Mars……..The contributions of the Aberystwyth team to the data processing pipelines and to data archiving will ensure that high quality data will be available when required for tactical (short term, day-to-day) rover operations, as well as for detailed scientific analysis for decades in the future.” [5.2]

We have worked closely with ESA and industry, applying our expertise to minimise costs associated with instrument testing and calibration and maximise the accuracy of results:

“Their quick and efficient work on the ExoMars rover, both when performing individual instrument calibration as well as Pan-Cam/ISEM cross calibration, has enabled industrial contractors to maintain their tight schedule.” [5.2]

The ongoing research at AU complements that of our industrial collaborators:

“JR implementing the stereovision chain and geometric calibration for the Beagle2 camera, whilst the Aberystwyth University departments of Physics and Computer Science provided robotic calibration & planning and radiometric calibration.” [5.1]

Through our work on ExoMars we continue a long-standing partnership with international industrial collaborators:

“The JR Space Robotics and Instruments team has been working closely with researchers in the departments of Physics and Computer Science for more than 20 years, and their research has had a direct impact on our work on technical, scientific, strategic and economic level.” [5.1]

The impact of our research on JRs business is borne out by their commitment to future collaboration:

“I can conclude that the collaborators Aberystwyth University continues to be one of the most important international R&D partners of the JR Space Robotics and Instruments team. New challenges faced in forthcoming and planned planetary missions to Mars & other planets, Moon, Asteroids and Comets will be jointly tackled in good complement and synergy between the research entities, with JR emphasizing 3D vision & visualization, and Aberystwyth University being center of excellence in radiometry & calibration, instrument development, computer science and robotics.” [5.1]

The ExoMars mission may be the first able to directly answer the long-standing question of whether we are alone in the universe: “The Rosalind Franklin rover will be able to acquire —for the first time— subsurface samples and analyze them to search for molecular biosignatures of possible martian lifeforms.” [5.2].

Our role in the imaging instruments has enabled us to contribute to national outreach activities which have reached more than 310,000 people [5.3]:

“The research carried out by the departments of Physics and Computer Science at Aberystwyth University (AU) was a key part of the content in Destination Space Phase 2. The AU researchers provided crucial expertise on the Mars elements of the activities and workshops.” “The descriptions of how a camera is built, tested, and operated on another planet will help the public to relate to the images when the ExoMars mission is underway.” [5.3]

Using our research on the Martian environment, we developed exhibits to improve public engagement. Significant use has been made by the UK Association for Science Discovery Centres, according to their Space & Physics project Manager:

“The Mars surface models developed and produced by Aberystwyth were very popular and provided a great, hands-on way to show people what Mars looks like, and where various mission have landed and explored. Visitor feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and the exhibits have greatly increased public awareness of ExoMars.” [5.3]