Space Rovers

Mobility is a key feature for any science mission and for space exploration in general. Missions with mobile systems provide a much wider spectrum of outcomes by employing a higher number of samples within an increased area of exploration. The additional degree of freedom of a rover in comparison to a lander or even a robotic arm allows the mission to be exibly adapted to the landing site as it is encountered.

Nevertheless, rover vehicles developed for the exploration of planetary surfaces are complex systems, which have to be specialised for the environmental conditions they are dedicated for. With the variation of the environmental conditions on missions to different target planets, the requirements are varying for the landing system, the rover as well as the payload.

Since 1989 the company von Hoerner & Sulger is doing research in the field of robotic systems and planetary exploration. Given that, the company is in the mean time well situated in the development and manufacture of rovers and established a good cooperation with academic institutes. The company gained the experience to develop the matching rover chassis for a variety of mission scenarios.