The Aouda.X space suit simulator and its applications to astrobiology
| Autor: | Stefan Hauth, Martin Knoflach, Ulrich Luger, Daniel Föger, Sebastian Sams, Eva Hauth, Birgit Sattler, Gernot Groemer, Daniel Schildhammer, Christoph Ragonig, Christian Agerer, Klaus Bickert, Felix Kaineder |
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| Rok vydání: | 2012 |
| Předmět: |
Situation awareness
Computer science Group method of data handling Interface (computing) Space suit Mars Mars Exploration Program Containment of Biohazards Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous) law.invention Astrobiology Space and Planetary Science law Extravehicular Activity Humans Instrumentation (computer programming) Radar Space Suits Simulation Space Simulation Envelope (motion) |
| Zdroj: | Astrobiology. 12(2) |
| ISSN: | 1557-8070 |
| Popis: | We have developed the space suit simulator Aouda.X, which is capable of reproducing the physical and sensory limitations a flight-worthy suit would have on Mars. Based upon a Hard-Upper-Torso design, it has an advanced human-machine interface and a sensory network connected to an On-Board Data Handling system to increase the situational awareness in the field. Although the suit simulator is not pressurized, the physical forces that lead to a reduced working envelope and physical performance are reproduced with a calibrated exoskeleton. This allows us to simulate various pressure regimes from 0.3-1 bar. Aouda.X has been tested in several laboratory and field settings, including sterile sampling at 2800 m altitude inside a glacial ice cave and a cryochamber at -110°C, and subsurface tests in connection with geophysical instrumentation relevant to astrobiology, including ground-penetrating radar, geoacoustics, and drilling. The communication subsystem allows for a direct interaction with remote science teams via telemetry from a mission control center. Aouda.X as such is a versatile experimental platform for studying Mars exploration activities in a high-fidelity Mars analog environment with a focus on astrobiology and operations research that has been optimized to reduce the amount of biological cross contamination. We report on the performance envelope of the Aouda.X system and its operational limitations. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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