Lubango – Six students from the electronics and telecommunications technical course at the Humpata Medium Polytechnic Institute (IMPH), in the Province of Huíla, created a prototype of space exploration technology called “Mars Rover Njila”.
It is an unmanned space exploration vehicle designed to move on the surface of a planet or other celestial body on a space mission and which contains autonomous robots.
The project was developed by students Désio Gomes, Evaristo Sally, José Sakanhe, Jandira Nolasco, Loth Solangue and Salomão Domingos, who sought to create an artifact that adapts to extraterrestrial environments, which is why they developed a technique for future similar exploration missions, whose vehicle was experimented in the Namib Desert.
Speaking to ANGOP, the course supervisor, Alberto Gomes, stated that the objective of building the device was to provide a detailed view of the practical basis of the context of implementation and development of a robotic exploration rover capable of carrying out autonomous explorations on land challenging tasks, as well as collecting scientific data.
He highlighted that these devices play a crucial role in scientific and research missions especially when human presence is not viable, which is why the invention was deployed in the Namib Desert for test and operational missions, where scientific and telemetric data will be collected for analysis and performance in real conditions.
He considered that the project "represents a milestone" in space research in Angola, contributing significantly to human knowledge about the solar system and paving the way for new discoveries and achievements in the field of astrobiology and planetary science.
He highlighted that the expected results include improving space exploration technology, advancing the understanding of extraterrestrial environments and improving techniques for future exploration missions on Mars.
The construction of the prototype encompassed a wide range of components and technologies such as the use of aluminum tubes, PVC pipe, steel plate for the Rover body, as well as araldite glue, hall sensor brush motor, ESP-32 micro controller, camera 360-Pro ICP, ultrasonic sensor, mini-servo motor, BMP 280 battery management system board, lithium-ion batteries, solar panel and a Rover communication and control system.
The entire work is 116 mm thick and connected to the WIFI network, which had a global investment of 670k (US$763) and works based on a command.
JT/MS/CF/jmc
