CraterNet: Communications for Planetary Exploration

About

As a continuation of our work on both the High Performance Networking 2000 Project and our general disaster communications research, PolyLAB ran an experiment in integrated networking for space exploration as part of the NASA Haughton-Mars 1999 Expedition.

The crux of the experiment is a continuing study to understand the issues involved in delivering a fully integrated network solution featuring high-speed wireless networking and space-based communications in a remote and hostile environment. We also want to develop collaborative practice and software for these situations, as part of our ongoing work in general telecollaboration. Finally, we want to find ways to make space-based networking solutions affordable for the communities that need them.

Funding for CraterNet comes from the Simon Fraser University's Telematics Research Laboratory, Dean of Applied Science and the Vice-President Academic's Office, as well as the High Performance Computing Network, with equipment provided by Wi-Lan Ltd, TMI Communications Ltd, InfoSat Ltd, the Communications Research Centre (CRC), and SFU. CRC is a major research partner in the project, providing testing and advice on the main space-based links.

On site, Steve Braham participated with NASA scientists and engineers, as well as scientists from other research institutions. The ongoing NASA project's aim is to gather information on the Haughton Crater Mars analog site, to understand geological and microbiological processes on the Red Planet, and to test out technologies for manned exploration of the Solar System, especially Mars.

The CraterNet project has evolved in the Canadian Space Agency funded PlanetNet Project, a collaboration between SFU, NASA, the SETI Institute, and CSA.

Future information will be posted at the PlanetNet site.

• Field Reports from HMP'99:
  
  • HMP Site Version.
  • Mars Society Reports.
  • Local Image Gallery from expedition.
• Some Press Releases:
  
  • NASA research lures Braham to high Arctic in SF News.
  • SFU Researcher Embarks on Mars-like Expedition in ScienceDaily.
  • Mars to Earth via Internet in SF News.
  • Thinking about Mars in Spaceviews.
  • Exploration of Mars may start with training in Nunavut in Globe and Mail.
  • SFU helps further possibility of interplanetary communication via Internet, SFU Press Release.
  • HMP Project on Canada AM:
    Available media:
    • AVI video file
    
    
    • Streamed media: [Surestream] [28k] [56k] [DSL]
    
    
  • Stephen Braham talks about the Mars project, from World Today, CKNW:
    Available media:
    • Streamed media: [Audio file]
    
    
  • Stephen Braham and Robert Zubrin talk about the Mars project, from @Discovery.ca:
    Available media:
    • Streamed media: [SureStream] [28k] [56k] [DSL]
    
    
  • Success of the Haughton-Mars project, in SF News Quotables.

• Canada and Analogue Sites for Mars Exploration
  by Stephen Braham, Peter Anderson, Pascal Lee, Richard Alena, and Brian Glass
  published in Proceedings of the Second Canadian Space Exploration Workshop
  Available Versions:
  • Word Format
  • Word Format (Poster version, 2MB)

• Bear Bay East (Bitmap, JPEG)
• Bear Bay West (Bitmap, JPEG)
• Haughton Dome (Bitmap, JPEG)