From to the deep oceans to distant alien worlds, exploring new territories often relies on the capabilities of advanced technology to go where no human can survive.
But some environments, such as Venus, are too hostile even for machines, whose sensitive electronic systems cannot withstand the extreme heat, high pressure, and clouds of sulphuric acid.
Scientists are now creating a prototype of a device where ‘steampunk science fiction meets spacecraft technology,’ tapping into the design of a 2,000-year-old mechanical computer.
Scientists are now looking to start making a prototype of the Automaton Rover for Extreme Environments (AREE) which was first proposed in 2015 by Jonathan Sauder from the Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory
The Automaton Rover for Extreme Environments (AREE) design was first proposed in 2015 by Jonathan Sauder from the Nasa Jet Propulsion Laboratory, according to The Space Jounal Room.
Dr Saunders and his team are now selecting parts of the AREE to be prototype.
‘Venus is too inhospitable for kind of complex control systems you have on a Mars rover’, he said.
‘But with a fully mechanical rover, you might be able to survive as long as a year’.
The rover prototype is being funded by the Nasa Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program which is now in its second year of development.
The AREE pulls inspiration from the ancient Greek Antikythera automaton – a mechanical computer built 2,300 years ago that accurately predicted past and future astronomical events.
In extreme environments most electronics will melt or be corroded by sulphuric acid so using basic devices such as the Antikythera mechanism would be the only way to survive in such an environment.
So far, landers that have been subjected to the harsh conditions on Venus have died within hours of arriving there, with even the most durable surviving just 127 minutes.
Scientists are now creating a prototype of a device (pictured) where ‘steampunk science fiction meets spacecraft technology,’ tapping into the design of a 2,000-year-old computer
It is being funded by the Nasa Innovative Advanced Concepts program which is in its second year of development. The team will need to work out how to communicate data to Earth
Using a clockwork computer and a body made from hardened metals, the AREE could be strong enough to take on the 800 degree Fahrenheit surface temperatures of Earth’s ‘evil twin’ Venus, according to Discover Magazine.
This rover would operate without electronics, relying on wind energy harvested from its turbine.
This rover would operate without electronics, relying on wind energy harvested from its turbine. The researchers have proposed a number of possible options to do this, including the use of phonograph-style records that would be launched by a balloon to a high altitude drone
It would walk on Jansen mechanism legs, guided by a mechanical computer and logic system that’s programmed for its mission. This would allow it to collect basic data on the conditions at Venus’ surface, including wind speed, temperature, and seismic events
It would walk on Jansen mechanism legs, guided by a mechanical computer and logic system that’s programmed for its mission.
This would allow it to collect basic data on the conditions at Venus’ surface, including wind speed, temperature, and seismic events.
But, sending the data back to Earth will be a challenge.
Using a clockwork computer and a body made from hardened metals, the AREE could be strong enough to take on the 800 degree Fahrenheit surface temperatures of Earth’s ‘evil twin’ Venus, according to Discover Magazine
The Automaton Rover for Extreme Environments (AREE) pulls inspiration from the ancient Greek Antikythera automaton – a mechanical computer built 2,300 years ago that accurately predicted past and future astronomical events
THE ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM
A fragment of the Antikythera Mechanism
For a century since its discovery in an ancient shipwreck, the exact function of the mysterious ‘Antikythera Mechanism’ was impossible to decipher because only tiny parts of its text were understood.
From a few words deciphered on the twisted, corroded fragments of bronze gears and plates, experts guessed the relic was an astronomical instrument.
But much more remained hidden out of sight.
After more than a decade’s efforts using cutting-edge scanning equipment, an international team of scientists has now read about 3,500 characters of explanatory text – a quarter of the original – in the innards of the 2,100-year-old remains.
They say it was a kind of philosopher’s guide to the galaxy, and perhaps the world’s oldest mechanical computer.
The researchers have proposed a number of possible options to do this, including the use of phonograph-style records that would be launched by a balloon to a high altitude drone.
They also suggest using a retroreflecter to bounce signals from the surface.
‘Automata could be the key for unlocking the secrets for some of the most extreme environments in the solar system such as the surface of Venus,’ the proposal explained.
And, this type of system means ‘the rover would survive for weeks if not months, allowing it to collect and return valuable long term longitudinal science data from the surface of Venus.
‘This science data is critical for informing models of dynamic planetary systems.’
A look inside the AREE rover (next to an astronaut for scale). Wind would be channeled through the rover’s body for primary power. Rotating targets on top could be “pinged” by radar, sending data as Morse code
Some environments, such as Venus (pictured), are too hostile even for machines, whose sensitive electronic systems cannot withstand the extreme heat, high pressure, and clouds of sulfuric acid
NASA TEAMS UP WITH RUSSIA TO STUDY EARTH’S ‘EVIL TWIN’
NASA has teamed up with the Russian space program to study ‘Earth’s evil twin.’
Scientists sponsored by the US space agency will meet with the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Space Research Institute (IKI) next week to discuss plans for the exploration of Venus, NASA revealed today.
In the proposed Venera-D mission, scientists plan to send a Russian space probe to orbit Venus for up to three years, along with a lander that will operate for a few hours on the harsh surface.
NASA has teamed up with the Russian space program to study ‘Earth’s evil twin.’ In the proposed Venera-D mission, scientists plan to send a Russian space probe to orbit Venus for up to three years, along with a lander that will operate for a few hours on the harsh surface
The Joint Science Definition Team study between the two space agencies aims to identify the shared science objectives for this mission, which could lead to better understanding of the planet’s climate, and reveal if it ever supported life.
At the end of January, the NASA Headquarters in Washington and IKI in Moscow were both given a report assessing and refining the objectives for the mission.
The team is also working to determine the feasibility of flying a solar-powered airship in Venus’ upper atmosphere as well, which could be released from the Venera-D lander, enter the atmosphere, and explore Venus on its own for up to three months.