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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Once a planetary UAV is launched to another planet it must be highly self sufficient in carrying out it's science mission and addressing any technical issues. Due to delay in up and down link the UAV must operate on its own. Unlike current day wheeled rovers, there may not be the opportunity to stop and allow mission control to analyze and fix problems.
This CIF work will explore options to use NASA AFRC expertise in flight simulation, UAV development and operation, systems integration and flight testing to ensure success of these future missions. It will also explore how to make simulation tools available to academia and companies to assist them in flight testing Earth-based surrogates of future planetary UAVs..
Planetary UAVs to explore other planets require extensive development and maturity even before just being proposed for a future mission. Once selected extensive Earth based testing is required utilizing representative environmental test chambers, extensive ground testing and flight testing of Earth based surrogate vehicles. Even when selected, there is never enough time or personnel to complete ever proposed test. With the Planetary UAV Simulation Tool box, the goal would be to enable more researchers to develop and mature future planetary UAVs and mission concepts and enable collaborate with others. By releasing the toolbox to researchers, less time would be spent on tool development and more on vehicle design, development and most importantly mission risk reduction..
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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