Can we use a dispersed system instead of a single extremely expensive rover?

In the Centre for Geospatial Analyses and Satellite Calculations of the Warsaw University of Technology in Józefosław (CENAGIS PW), on 11–12 September, another series of tests of Mars rovers was conducted. An interdisciplinary research team, comprising academics from leading Polish universities that deal with Mars exploration, is continuing the development of technologies of obtaining and processing topographic data analogous to forms present on Mars.

Data are obtained by an autonomous group of five rovers equipped with heterogenic sensors, such as a six-degrees of freedom arm, lidar, cameras imaging in visible band and close infrared, as well as a georadar. The rovers are aided by a drone that allows definition of the local coordinates system and initial imaging of the terrain from a low altitude.

The team working in the CENAGIS centre was visited by PAP, ESKA radio station, and the English section of Polskie Radio. 

In mid-October WUT researchers will present their research results in Houston.

The Warsaw University of Technology is composed of specialists from:

• Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography: Professor Robert Olszewski, Agnieszka Wendland, PhD, Paweł Czernic, MSc,
• Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology: Piotr Pałka, PhD, Maksym Figat, PhD, Julia Stypułkowska, BSc, Karol Orzechowski, BSc.