The triple-bogie locomotion system on the Rosalind Franklin ExoMars rover was implemented by the European Space Agency (ESA) after several rover missions to Mars. The triple-bogie made wheel-walking possible and allowed the rover to gain traction in the varying Martian terrain. The system also allows the rover to overcome large obstacles and achieve smoother motion. (European Space Agency, 2019) Due to the vast amount of efforts invested into the triple-bogie, the locomotion system utilized by the Rosalind Franklin Mars rover is capable of traversing the perilous surface of Mars.
During the conceptualisation of the ExoMars locomotion configuration and design, the triple-bogie system and a list of six other locomotion wheel design concepts were analysed. The triple-bogie system was the favoured choice as it was the simplest, lightest, most compactable, and had a steady stable footprint. It also offered a more efficient climbing performance when compared to other locomotion concepts. (Patel et al., 2010)
The triple-bogie locomotion system was then developed and put through a test with the intention of comparison between the wheel-walking locomotion mode and normal wheel rolling. The test contained different scenarios in various ESA test sites, ranging from entrapment, slope performance and egress stability tests. The wheel-walking mode enabled by the triple-bogie was concluded to surpass normal wheel rolling on the variable Mars terrain, based on the evaluation of qualitative and quantitative statistics from the tests. (European Space Agency, 2015)
In addition, the Three aeronautical and space technology companies, MacDonald Dettwiler (MDA), Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, that developed the triple-bogie system for the ESA, put the system through test environments that simulated the Martian environment as accurately as possible, taking into account the extreme temperatures, harsh terrain, the difference in gravity and pressure. Although there were challenges associated with replicating the martian environment, the triple-bogie system passed the acceptance screening before being sent to the ESA. (Kanji & Buratynsky, 2019)
As of three months ago, the rover was still undergoing camera and testing of other instruments. (European Space Agency, 2021) Although the main purpose of the tests was to evaluate the cameras, radar and drill on the Rosalind Franklin rover, it also studied the locomotion system’s integration with the rest of the rover to ensure that the triple-bogie will not have any problems on Mars.
Due to the substantial amount of effort invested by the ESA and the aeronautical companies in the development and testing of the locomotion system, it is evident that they want the locomotion system to work successfully on the Martian terrain.
In conclusion, the triple-bogie locomotion system used by the Rosalind Franklin ExoMars rover will have the ability to traverse the Martian terrain.
References
European Space Agency. (2015). First Experimental investigations on Wheel-Walking for improving Triple-Bogie rover locomotion performances. ESA. https://robotics.estec.esa.int/ASTRA/Astra2015/Presentations/Session%202A/95665_Azkarate.pdf
European Space Agency. (2019). Moving on Mars. ESA. https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ExoMars/Moving_on_Mars
European Space Agency. (2021). Science on the move with ExoMars. ESA. https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2021/07/Science_on_the_move_with_ExoMars
Kanji, S., & Buratynsky, M. (2019). Challenges associated with testing mechanisms for a Martian environment. MDA. https://www.esmats.eu/esmatspapers/pastpapers/pdfs/2019/kanji.pdf
Patel, N., Slade, R., & Clemmet, J. (2010). The ExoMars rover locomotion subsystem. EADS ASTRIUM (UK). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022489810000182
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