Evan Hilgemann, Mechanical Engineer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California
December 9, 2019
A technical issue caused the video recording of this lecture to be lost. We sincerely apologize for this happening.
To conclude the 2019 HSNY lecture series, Evan Hilgemann from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) discussed the Automaton Rover For Extreme Environments (AREE) concept. AREE can be thought of as a clockwork rover. Hilgemann explained how technologies such as a mechanical clock and mechanical obstacle detection could reduce computational complexity and lead to a longer lifespan on the surface of Venus. It was incredible to learn that the current record for rover survival on Venus is 127 minutes. Videos were shown of a prototype mechanical clock surviving simulated Venus conditions on Earth, an impressive feat!
The inspiration for the AREE concept stemmed from early technology such as the H5 Pocket Watch, Babbage Engine, Fire Control Computers and the modern technology of Theo Jansen’s Strandbeest and the adding, multiplying and integration of computing mechanisms. The AREE will be built with a combination of mechanics and electronics. The mechanics will embody the power and mobility functionality with the electronics spearheading the instruments and communications. Since traditional navigation techniques would not work on Venus, mechanical automation makes sense due to the duality of low speed / high torque in and low speed / high torque out. The AREE concept demonstrations focused on the high-temperature clock and the benchtop rover at Venus conditions and the exercise was conducted in two phases.
Hilgemann also discussed a related NASA project using "age-old" technologies, Starshade. Starshade is an origami spacecraft, which would expand to block light from a star, allowing a space telescope to better focus on distant planets. The Starshade would only expand to full size once in outer space and would operate as an independent spacecraft. Starshade's development is further ahead as compared to AREE, with deployment possible in 2020. Hilgemann's inspiring lecture showed us all that innovation can be achieved by looking to historical techniques and technology.
HSNY thanks Evan Hilgemann for his fascinating lecture!
Photography by Atom Moore
Submitted by Melody Benloss, Recording Secretary & Associate Librarian & Nicholas Manousos, President