Testing a Mars Rover – Challenges Specific to Thermal Environmental Testing of the ExoMars Rover

The ExoMars Rover Module test campaign had specific challenges brought on by simulation of the Martian environment and the rover design itself. Unlike with most deep space missions, a Martian lander does not experience steady state conditions. As such the rover’s thermal design is optimised for a transient environment. To verify the design, the chamber shrouds utilise transient profiles to simulate both the Martian sky and surface. The effect of solar flux on the Rover is simulated using a 3D grid of infrared lamps surrounding the rover within the test chamber. The transient power profiles of these infrared lamps were calculated for each face of the rover, taking multiple factors into account. Further, the Martian atmosphere is 95% Carbon Dioxide at pressures between 3.5mbar - 12mbar. This is replicated inside the chamber using both Carbon Dioxide and Gaseous Nitrogen during various phases of testing.