The PanCam Instrument for the ExoMars Rover
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
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. Key Words: Mars—ExoMars—Instrumentation—Geology—Atmosphere—Exobiology—Context. Astrobiology 17, 511–541.
Date Issued
2017-06-01
Date Acceptance
2016-11-01
Citation
Astrobiology, 2017, 17 (6-7), pp.511-541
ISSN
1531-1074
Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert
Start Page
511
End Page
541
Journal / Book Title
Astrobiology
Volume
17
Issue
6-7
Copyright Statement
© A.J. Coates et al., and the PanCam Team, 2017; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. This Open Access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited.
License URL
Sponsor
UK Space Agency
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Grant Number
ST/L006413/1
ST/N000579/1
ST/P002064/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Biology
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Other Topics
Geology
Mars
ExoMars
Instrumentation
Atmosphere
Exobiology
Context
MARS EXPLORATION ROVERS
PAST AQUEOUS ACTIVITY
GALE CRATER
MERIDIANI-PLANUM
LANDING SITE
PANORAMIC CAMERA
MAWRTH VALLIS
SCIENCE OBJECTIVES
MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE
RADIATIVE-TRANSFER
Publication Status
Published