Development of robotic instruments and techniques for space and astrobiological exploration and research

• Astrobiology is the study of life in the universe. The search for life beyond the Earth requires an understanding of the signatures of life, and of the nature of the environments that support it. Space exploration is a crucial factor to achieve these goals. The PhD thesis focusses on developing novel techniques for astrobiological and Earth exploration. It includes instrument prototyping, validation and calibration of a flight-ready space in-strument.This thesis explains the development of four instruments namely 1) KORE – a robotic exploration rover designed for subsurface analogue planetary explorations; 2) InXSpace3D – a 3D mapping payload for biogeomorphological analysis based on a com-mercial RGB-D camera and an open-source algorithm; 3) S3ME2 – a self-sustainable environmental monitoring station capable of withstanding harsh environments on Earth; and 4) PACKMAN – a space weather monitoring instrument. The instruments are devoted to: 1) the spatial exploration and characterization (KORE and InXSpace3D) of a potentially habitable environment and 2) the monitorization of the rapidly vary-ing environmental variables that may affect life (S3ME2 and PACKMAN), its evolution and preservation. The instruments are developed according to the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Ladder and a cost and time effective methodology which maximizes the use of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components and Open source software.The thesis also discusses the bioburden sterilization and control procedure of some of the sensors on the flight-ready space Instrument HABIT (HabitAbility: Brines, Irradi-ation and Temperature), that will be part of the ExoMars 2022 mission. Again, a COTS and an open source software-based approach has been used in these higher TRL level procedures. This demonstrates the fact that such an engineering approach can benefit the scientific community by developing instruments with a minimal investment of time and resources without compromising the scientific quality of the instrument. The thesis concludes with the adaptation of the research methodology to adapt space technologies that are applicable in space for human support systems to address an emerging problem on Earth: ATMO-Vent, a low-cost COTS-based ventilator that produces an adapted breathable atmosphere for COVID-19 patients.During the PhD thesis, the author has published five peer-reviewed journal papers, two peer-reviewed conference abstracts and two co-authored peer-reviewed journal pa-pers. The first authored papers and conference abstracts have been appended to the Part-II of the thesis.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Rymd- och flygteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Aerospace Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Atmospheric science

Atmosfärsvetenskap

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

dok (ämneskategori)