UCL scientist develops camera for Mars rover

Prof Andrew Coates from the Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) is leading the team designing the Panoramic Camera, or PanCam, aboard the ExoMars rover.

ExoMars, a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, is a flagship project in the UK Space Agency’s science and exploration programme. In-depth coverage from The Engineer can be read here.

The ’robotic scientist’ will search for evidence of past and present life and study the local environment of the Red Planet to understand when and where conditions that could have supported the development of life may have prevailed.

Unlike previous US-designed rovers, ExoMars will carry a radar that is able to search for scientifically promising locations under the surface of Mars and a drill to extract samples from the ground that will be fed to its on-board laboratory.

The PanCam will help guide ExoMars across the rocky surface, be used by geologists to understand the history and structure of the planet, and help identify the best sites for drilling.