BEES: Exploring Mars with bioinspired technologies

Thakoor, S; Morookian, J; Chahl, Javaan; Hine, B; Zornetzer, S

BEES: Exploring Mars with bioinspired technologies

Date

2004

Authors

Thakoor, S

Morookian, J

Chahl, Javaan

Hine, B

Zornetzer, S

Publisher

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE Inc)

Abstract

The bioinspired engineering of exploration systems (BEES) approach demonstrates the power of incorporating selected and highly evolved biological capabilities into engineered systems. These developments are paving the pathway to autonomous flight. First class of missions are intended to allow both high-resolution imagery of Mars at low altitudes and long-range exploration of the red planet, with flights ranging from 10 to 100 km and beyond. In the second class of missions, the BEES flyer's navigation capabilities will be used to observe short-lived critical phenomena.