From a call for research proposals just issued by the [tag]European Space Agency[/tag]:
“Planetary exploration missions include an entry-descent-landing phase, where the spacecraft descends on a relatively steep trajectory to the surface. In order to minimize the loads during landing, a deceleration system is employed, consisting essentially of some or a combination of parachutes, retrorockets and airbags. Due to the communication round-trip delay time between spacecraft and ground control, external supervision of the descent is limited. As a consequence, a landing device is desired that can autonomously stabilize the descent and guide the spacecraft to a safe landing place.
In the research field of unmanned autonomous vehicles, animal models have become intensively studied models for potential technological transfer. Inspiration is drawn from various aspects such as neuronal control, aerodynamics, material properties, and actuators. Studying the neuronal control (biocybernetics) of insect flight is appealing for a number of reasons. First, in insects neurons can be addressed individually and hence, their function can be well determined. Secondly, flight control is realized in a fly-by-wire manner: Sensory data is acquired and processed in a way that only one individual steering signal for each flight situation is generated and sent downstream to the motor control. From this single signal, the appropriate motor reactions are generated. The present study aims at a ‘technological transfer’ of the neuronal architecture involved in triggering the landing reaction of steeply descending cockroaches.
Cockroaches obtain flying capacities of robustly designed wings but are rarely observed to fly. From observations of scientists we know that cockroaches use their wings mostly in emergency situations, i.e. when forced to jump off elevated spots. Once air born, the cockroaches quickly deploy their wings and use them to glide to the ground, controlling their trajectory and choosing a landing site. This task requires fast reactions and quick decisional strategies. The cockroaches’ flight system is therefore assumed to be tuned specifically towards fast landing and not to e.g. flying or take-off. In consequence, it is assumed that the cockroach model – compared to other potentially flying insects – is simpler in its neuronal architecture and hence faster in its reaction and hence displays a potential model for a biomimetic transfer to an engineered landing system. Proposing universities and research centres are encouraged to include in their proposals relevant additional scientific information or a critical analysis of these assumptions.”