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Abstract
Search for extraterrestrial life has been a drive wheel for space technology research for half a century. Recentresearch in astrobiology suggests that underwater oceans on Jovian moon Europa, Saturnian moon Titan and possiblyasteroids may be a potential habitat for such microbial life. The unique combination of an actively recycled ice shelland rocky, possibly magmatic interior may give rise to a geochemical system suitable to life and not so terriblydifferent from the terrestrial cryosphere, where the ice may act as a suitable interface along which melt and freezeprovide chemical gradients of which life can take advantage. To investigate such environments, utilization ofunmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) is proposed. This research proposes validation of a technology demonstratorof a UUV in microgravity conditions. Few typical control algorithms, both linear and nonlinear will be tested duringa parabolic flight campaign. Along with visualization of streamlines with dye, this research may be a first insight intotechnical challenges of operating a UUV in a space underwater mission in search for extraterrestrial life. A studentteam project to verify the system in a parabolic flight campaign is presented including a prototype of the UUV, firsttest results and management of the student project.
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- Magazine publication
- Type:
- Magazine publication
- Publication year:
- 2022
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