Planetary Rovers: Robotic Exploration of the Solar System

Authors: Ellery, Alex
Gives a historical introduction to the use of robotic rovers for planetary exploration
Depicts planetary rover development and all aspects relevant to the design of these systems
Uniquely combines space engineering, robotics and automatic technologies
Provides a case study based on the Exo Mars Rover
Deals with associated problems of locomotion and navigation
Addresses the need for astrobiology planetary science missions, highlighting NASA’s ‘follow the water’ strategy

About this book
The increasing adoption of terrain mobility – planetary rovers – for the investigation of planetary surfaces emphasises their central importance in space exploration. This imposes a completely new set of technologies and methodologies to the design of such spacecraft – and planetary rovers are indeed, first and foremost, spacecraft. This introduces vehicle engineering, mechatronics, robotics, artificial intelligence and associated technologies to the spacecraft engineer’s repertoire of skills. Planetary Rovers is the only book that comprehensively covers these aspects of planetary rover engineering and more. The book:
• discusses relevant planetary environments to rover missions, stressing the Moon and Mars;
• includes a brief survey of previous rover missions;
• covers rover mobility, traction and control systems;
• stresses the importance of robotic vision in rovers for both navigation and science;
• comprehensively covers autonomous navigation, path planning and multi-rover formations on other planets;
• introduces sample acquisition and autonomous science – with an emphasis on astrobiology – as the raison d’être of rover missions;
• presents a special case study on the exploration of Europa;
• discusses future rover concepts, including a brief exploration of the role of biomimetics.

Number of Illustrations and Tables
36 illus., 119 in colour
Topics
Aerospace Technology and Astronautics
Automotive Engineering

More info and Hardcover at Springer

Purchase a Premium account to Donate & Support :)

More Science Books …Visit my Blog :)