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than their predecessors, doing more onboard data processing to maximise data acquisition while dealing with limited downlink bandwidth.” Space Micro, which is part of the Raven project, is working with the RTG4s on its next-generation software-defined radio and also handling its proprietary image processing algorithms. Exploration Exploring the Solar System remains a key objective for space systems development, and autonomous control is playing an increasingly important part in the system design as the time available to communicate with the systems diminishes. One example here is the European Space Agency’s programme in collaboration with the Russian space agency Roscosmos to send a rover to Mars. As there are only one or two short opportunities for communications, the rover has to be highly autonomous. Scientists on Earth will designate target destinations on the basis of compressed stereo images acquired by a long- range camera on the rover, which then calculates a safe route. It can travel up to 100 m in a Martian day, using digital maps created from stereo navigation cameras. There are also close-range cameras for obstacle detection. The power system comprises solar panels capable of producing 1200 Wh working in combination with a 1142 Wh battery system from Saft to store the energy generated by the solar panels. The Saft MP 176065 Integration xtd lithium-ion cells have been designed to work in temperatures from -40 to +85 C, and were delivered to the programme’s prime contractor, Alenia Space, in September 2016. The batteries also drive each of the three wheel pairs that are suspended on an independently pivoted bogie, and each wheel can be independently steered and driven, while inclinometers and gyroscopes are used to enhance the robustness of the motion control.