It’s a long way from the red planet to the East Rand, but the Curiosity Mars Rover landed at the Birchwood hotel recently as part of the Siemens’ Future of Manufacturing event. The Siemens’ Curiosity model travels the world to demonstrate how the complex robot was put together, tested and operates day to day – largely using the global engineering firm’s software.
It is known across the world as the robot exploring Mars, but very little is known about the extensive simulation and testing processes on earth that make planetary exploration possible. Its construction had to be perfect to take every risk into account. This includes the design of all 90 000 parts that work together inside the Rover, the complex entry and landing sequence on the Martian surface, as well as the robot’s survival in the harsh Martian environment.
Just one shot on Mars
“We don’t get a chance to try again, we have one shot and it’s usually doing something we’ve never done before,” says Bill Allen, mechanical design engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California.
JPL used Siemens computer-aided engineering software to test and simulate how the thousands of parts would work together and how much stress they could take from temperature, friction and pressure changes. Siemens NX programs were also used to generate the code which guided the machines manufacturing the intricate Mars Rover parts to within the accuracy of the width of a human hair. The environment in space is impossible to recreate on earth, so simulation software was also essential. Curiosity was put through the vacuum and extreme cold of deep space, was then re-pressurised in the Martian atmosphere, experienced extreme wind, vibration, noise and G-forces, and then scorching heat and freezing cold – all within hours.
Curiosity’s landing sequence alone was perfected through 8000 simulations. On the day of the Mars landing, NASA only had one shot at the Sky Crane setting down its prized Mars Science Laboratory. Internally, these are referred to as NASA’s seven minutes of terror, and it is one of the great triumphs for the agency.
Even now, Curiosity does not make a move on Mars without it being tested or simulated in some way. An Earth-bound twin, identical except for the nuclear power source, is used at the Mars Yard at JPL to tackle obstacles for its sibling – simulation on earth to spare a Curiosity failure on Mars.
ACTOM invests in South Africa’s industrial future
News
ACTOM has transformed its Pretoria West facility into an integrated manufacturing hub for large power transformers, high-voltage equipment and lithium-ion battery energy storage systems, quadrupling transformer capacity and establishing a complete local energy storage ecosystem.
Read more...SA’s future engineers in action
News
AvenirHoldings sponsors the 2026 SAICE Aqualibrium Schools Competition, supporting young engineering talent across South Africa and Eswatini.
Read more...Advancing high-performance motorsport design Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens explains how its simulation software is helping motorsport engineering group ORECA speed up vehicle design and optimise composite structures for its Le Mans hypercar programme.
Read more...From the editor's desk: Turning the tide Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
Our last few Sustainable Manufacturing guides have tracked the changes in the energy industry in South Africa. This year, I found that the story has moved on still further.
South Africa’s manufacturing ...
Read more...Engineering a more inclusive future
News
Women engineers at Zutari are helping shape resilient communities across Africa and the Middle East, while inspiring the next generation to enter the profession in areas ranging from water security to large-scale urban developments.
Read more...Schneider Electric inspires future women engineers Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric welcomed female engineering students from its education partner Sedibeng TVET College, Sebokeng to its Midrand headquarters for its Mandela Day Mentorship Café initiative, transforming a day of service into a day of inspiration, learning and opportunity.
Read more...Supporting an inclusive circular economy transition in South Africa
News
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation has released its Circular Economy Science, Technology and Innovation strategy. The document sets out how research, development and innovation can support South Africa’s shift away from a linear economic model.
Read more...Why sustainability and resilience matter more than ever to navigate the ESG backlash
News
ESG, once heralded as a pragmatic framework for embedding long-term resilience into business, is facing growing resistance. The backlash we are seeing may appear reactionary, but it should not distract us from the facts. In this climate, I often find myself returning to the core purpose behind sustainability - creating long-term value in a world of escalating uncertainty.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version