Mechanical Architecture Design for the ExoMars Rover Vehicle

Paper number

IAC-08.A3.I.14

Author

Mr. Ian Renouf, EADS Astrium Ltd., United Kingdom

Coauthor

Dr. Richard Slade, EADS Astrium, United Kingdom

Coauthor

Dr. Jim Clemmet, EADS Astrium Ltd., United Kingdom

Coauthor

Mr. Gwyn Jones, EADS Astrium Ltd., United Kingdom

Year

2008

Abstract

The European Space Agency’s ExoMars mission plans to land a rover on Mars with the primary objective of searching for signs of extinct or extant microbial life below the surface. EADS Astrium is the contractor for the rover vehicle – a mobile platform which supports the science instruments and sample acquisition and preparation equipment, including a drill. This paper describes the mechanical architecture of the rover vehicle: its overall configuration; the concept for stowage, deployment and egress from the confines of the lander; the locomotion design and suspension arrangement; appendage deployment and pointing mechanism concepts; structural design; and the design of the thermal control subsystem. 

A vented airbag system for cushioning the landing results in a different topology to rovers that utilise a non-vented airbag landing system. Accommodation and deployment of the drill for acquiring samples from 2 m below the surface has been a major configuration driver. Internal accommodation of the sample preparation & distribution system, an extensive ‘laboratory’ of analytical instruments and all the vehicle service subsystems within the confines of the thermally insulated body, has led to a densely packaged arrangement, which nonetheless is modular to ease integration within an aseptic environment to meet planetary protection requirements. The rover locomotion consists of a capable 6 wheel system which permits body posture control and self-deployment. The passive suspension arrangement linking the wheels to the body is a new concept. 

The thermal control design includes both loop heat pipes and radioactive heater units for maintaining critical systems such as the battery within temperature limits, while the exterior of the vehicle is subjected to a wide diurnal range.

Abstract document

IAC-08.A3.I.14.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.A3.I.14.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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