Combining 2 cubesats in tandem into a single structure, to maximize the use of electronics, physical space and system. Two working scenarios: 1) During orbital insertion. Assuming use of Aerobreaking, then the systems will deploy the atmospheric sampling unit. Visual analysis of microbes to be done in-situ. 2) After orbital insertion. Pictures of the surface will be analyzed using a) Eulerian Video Magnification (identify quakes and storms) and b) matlab code to provide 3D simulation of terrain.

This project is solving the Hitch a Ride to Mars challenge.

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Description

Design of a conceptual CubeSat Cluster Orbiter to collect microbial life on Mars atmosphere, detect seismic and atmospheric movement on Mars ground and determine possible future lander sites.

We make use of Consumer Off The Shelf (COTS) equipment and modern analysis and collection techniques.

For microbial sampling, we propose the use of aerogel as collecting agent and in-situ microbial visual analysis, using the flourescence technique.

For seismic and atmospheric activities and lander siste selection, we propose the use of a single camera for photographs and different analysis of the collected photos. One analysis will determine subtle variations of ground and atmospheric activities (to detect quakes and early sand storm formations). Additional analysis will calculate the gound objects' diameter and height using the projected object shadow (knowing the sunlight angle of incidence).

We believe that some of these techniques could be used on Earth as well.

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Project Information

License: GNU General Public License
Source Code/Project URL: http://inventard.wordpress.com/mars-inventard/

Resources

Mars InventaRD Technical Document - http://inventard.wordpress.com/mars-inventard/
Mars InventaRD 3D Model - http://inventard.wordpress.com/mars-inventard/