Real-time data processing for Mars simulations

  • Cost-efficient and time-saving implementation of the experiments

  • Increase in the quality of the results through the use of standardized real-time processing

Category: Software Development
Branch: Space Research

Company Size: 50+ Employees
Location: Austria (AUT)

Duration: 3 Months

Customer request/problem

Our client is an Austrian player in the field of space exploration. Part of the equipment developed for upcoming Mars missions was an optimised spacesuit, which is tested in the course of simulations on Earth in order to be able to check functionality and effectiveness, and a Mars rover to accompany the “astronaut” to take the measurements of, for example, rock particles. Our task was to ensure the communication between the suit, the rover and the base station so that the simulation could run smoothly. Another requirement was to develop a system which could authentically simulate the transmission conditions from Mars to Earth and vice versa, in order to calculate relevant parameters such as the distance from the suit to the rover to the base station.

Implementation

Our task was primarily to write the simulation for the simulated Mars rover in order to optimally implement the data transmission. The Mars rover has a large number of sensors, each of which generates specific data, such as wind direction, temperature in the housing of the Mars rover, the condition of the tyres, etc. We used our monitoring product Caduceus and installed a so-called Caduceus agent in the Mars rover, which records and transmits data to the server. Subsequently, this data is processed and forwarded to our customer’s headquarters. By using Caduceus dashboards, all relevant information could be visualised in real time. The centralised database and the real-time interfaces form the basis for the further simulation scenarios for our customer.

By using standardised simulation tools to delay network communication, Mars-like environments were created. This was used to investigate the communication of the individual components in difficult (environments).

Challanges

To create as realistic a Mars environment as possible.

Benefit for the customer

Through our support and the use of Caduceus, our client was able to implement their experiments in a cost-efficient and time-saving manner and increase the quality of the results through the use of standardised real-time processing.

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