Arkaroola Mars Robot Challenge Expedition

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Quicklinks - Diary - Arkaroola - Expeditioners - MSI Mars Rover - Mars’O Bot - Mascot Hexapod

The Arkaroola Mars Robot Challenge Expedition is the latest of a series of expeditions run by Mars Society Australia (MSA) since its inception in 2001. Destinations of previous expeditions have included the Pilbara, Woomera, and the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, as well as Arkaroola

Where & When

The expedition will assemble in Adelaide on Friday 4^th July and drive in convoy to Arkaroola on Saturday 5^th July. On Saturday 19^thJuly the expedition will return to Adelaide and disperse on the 20^thJuly. Follow progress of the expedition by reading the Expedition diary.

The Arkaroola region was selected for the expedition as it has many features of astrobiological and geological interest. These include volcanic rocks, stromatolites, ancient and modern hot springs, and dunes. Links to various papers on the Arkaroola region may be found in the Resources section at the bottom of this page. You can view some photos of the Arkaroola region in the Arkaroola photo gallery.

Arkaroola Mars Robot Challenge Aims

Test a range of field robotics at Arkaroola with the goal of developing concepts for planetary operations, especially Mars. Participants include Murdoch University (WA), confirmed), University of New South Wales, Mars Society India, and MSA.
Test control of remote robotic and human field operations at Arkaroola from centralised mission control run by Saber Astronautics from a control room in Sydney
Explore astrobiological features of the Arkaroola region. These include Proterozoic stromatolites, organicirich, and fossiliferous vein systems, a fossil subglacial radioactive hydrothermal systems, and the Paralana radioactive hot spring. Research will be led by a team from Macquarie University (NSW)
Work with teachers from NSW and South Australia, both on the expedition and visiting Arkaroola to better equip them in teaching of science. The expedition is the latest in the Spaceward Bound Australia series with this goal.
To stimulate and inspire students and researchers in the disciplines of field robotics, planetary geology, astrobiology, and education through multidisciplinary interaction in the field.
Reach out to the public using lectures at Arkaroola and media contacts, emphasising the importance of planetary science, field robotics, and astrobiology to both the Australian and global community.

Competing robots include the MSI Mars Rover and Mars'O Bots. The robot operations will be coordinated through a field operations centre supplied by Saber Astronautics. The robots will be developed by:

Expeditioners

A partial list of profiles of confirmed expeditioners may be viewed here. The expedition will be lead by Dr Jonathan Clarke, President of the Mars Society Australia.

Standardized Engineering Assessment of Field Robots in a Mars-like Environment can be read here
Field-Testing Astronaut Assistance Robots in Australian Outback in the IEEE Magazine "Robotics and Automation" More here
Evaluating the Performance of Field Science in an Analogue EVA suit: Stromatolite Identification by Geologists and Non-Geologists. More here
Field Robotics, Astrobiology and Mars Analogue Research on the Arkaroola Mars Robot Challenge Expedition. More here

Related papers and articles

Media Enquiries

For any questions on the expedition please email Expedition Coordinator Dr Jonathan Clarke jon.clarke_AT_bigpond.com (replace _AT_ with @)

Download the full media release (including images) here.

Expedition Supporters

Arkaroola Wildlife Sanctuary

CSIRO

Saber Astronautics

The Australia-India Council (Dept. Foreign Affairs and Trade)

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