2nd Phileas Meeting, Vienna, Qasar Technologies

The task was to discuss some organisational topics as well as the Phileas Trade Off List and the Phileas Specifications. The participants therefore presented their results of research and dimensioning which are highly relevant for the specs of the rover. The question of the mode of locomotion still needs more detailed information. So far it is clear that we will not use a caterpillar. The wheels will rather be metal or rubber but there is also a possibility to use “wire mesh fence” wheels because they give us antishock and grip function.

Another issue on the schedule was to fix the dimensions of Phileas. It shall be convertible for easy transportation which will affect the definition of its height and mass. Phileas should be able to operate at a temperature range of minus 25°C up to plus 40°C, but it should also be able to survive peak temperatures between minus 80°C up to plus 80°C.

We discussed and defined a lot of technical data, so the power bus system and the power generation (solar panels) as well as the mass, the environmental limits and the operation mode of Phileas are now explicitly defined. We also decided that it should be possible that 2-4 people can carry the rover with the help of some bars fixed to it.

Phileas shall perform its daily mission activities for a maximum of four hours. We also defined the power train, suspension and the driving speeds which will be a few kilometres per hour. The rover shall be able to climb up tracks with 30° inclination or more and shall also be able to operate in an area where there are small obstacles.

The OBDH (On Board Data Handling) system will be similar to Passepartout. Phileas shall accommodate a data relay function, allowing for the duplex (TBC) transmission of data streams from the astronaut in the Aouda Suit. The rover will also use many sensors and cameras. To summarize the meeting – another big step forward has been made!