Projects per year
Abstract
The scientific objectives of the ExoMars rover are designed to answer several key questions in the search for life on Mars. In particular, the unique subsurface drill will address some of these, such as the possible existence and stability of subsurface organics. PanCam will establish the surface geological and morphological context for the mission, working in collaboration with other context instruments. Here, we describe the PanCam scientific objectives in geology, atmospheric science, and 3-D vision. We discuss the design of PanCam, which includes a stereo pair of Wide Angle Cameras (WACs), each of which has an 11-position filter wheel and a High Resolution Camera (HRC) for high-resolution investigations of rock texture at a distance. The cameras and electronics are housed in an optical bench that provides the mechanical interface to the rover mast and a planetary protection barrier. The electronic interface is via the PanCam Interface Unit (PIU), and power conditioning is via a DC-DC converter. PanCam also includes a calibration target mounted on the rover deck for radiometric calibration, fiducial markers for geometric calibration, and a rover inspection mirror.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Astrobiology |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 6/7 |
Early online date | 22 May 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2017 |
Keywords
- Mars
- ExoMars
- Instrumentation
- Geology
- Atmosphere
- Exobiology
- Context
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'The PanCam instrument for the ExoMars rover'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 3 Finished
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Exploration of Mars – Where can technology take us?
Cousins, C. R. (PI)
1/01/17 → 31/12/17
Project: Other
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Scientific Integration and Exploitation: Scientific Integration and Exploitation of ExoMars PanCam, ISEM and CLUPI
Cousins, C. R. (PI) & Claire, M. (CoI)
Science & Technology Facilities Council
1/07/16 → 29/03/20
Project: Standard
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Searching for life on Mars: Searching for life on Mars: analogue and technology-based approaches
Cousins, C. R. (PI)
The Royal Society of Edinburgh
1/05/15 → 30/09/18
Project: Fellowship
Profiles
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Claire Rachel Cousins
- School of Earth & Environmental Sciences - Reader in Earth Sciences
- St Andrews Centre for Exoplanet Science
Person: Academic