New bio-inspired techniques for planetary surface exploration

Paper number

IAC-08.E2.2.2

Author

Mr. Miklos Vincze, Eotvos Lorand Science University, Hungary

Year

2008

Abstract

Evolution’s 'trial and error' mechanism definitly lead to the best and most economic biological structures within given environmental circumstances. Therefore if one designs a complex system, in some cases it can be useful to learn what kind of solutions had nature come up with for a similar problem among similar conditions. This new approach in engineering (or rather reverse-engineering) is often referred to as 'biomimetics'. Biomimetics can be applied within a wide range of space-related fields, e.g. materials science, sensor designing or operation-optimalization. 

In the automatic planetary missions of the near future, mobility on the surface will play a key role. Out of the classical wheeled rovers, which are tending to get more and more complex there will be need for simple, small and autonomous 'nano-robots' as well. These would not depend on remote guidance at all, and would not hold more than one or two scientific instruments, but it would be possible to create a large network of these small units and hence to understand some larger-scale phenomena of the planet.           

A conceptual study is presented for a hypothetic Mars or Titan mission, which involves many bio-inspired ideas. From an atmospheric glider or baloon small landers are dropped to the surface using a one-winged rotating braking system, inspired by maple seeds. The parameters and effectiveness of such a landing method are discussed for both types of atmospheric environment. After the landing, four simple autonomous snake-robots (or ’snakebots’ according to the NASA terminology) are released from each maple-seed lander. The sidewinding motions of Sahara desert vipers are studied to find the optimal way of locomotion for the snakebots. The decision-making algorithm of the autonomous guidance is based on a method learned from the behaviour of E. Coli bacteria. Bio-inspired digging mechanisms are also described.
The size and distribution of such a randomly evolving network is analysed, and the possible scientific usage of the system as a meteorological, heatflow or seismological network is discussed.        

Abstract document

IAC-08.E2.2.2.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.E2.2.2.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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