A team of 35 students and faculty from Northern Arizona University (NAU) has developed four cameras set to launch into space on a mission to Mars. This project, which includes two traditional cameras and two infrared cameras, is part of NASA’s ESCAPADE mission, spearheaded by physicist Rob Lillis from UC Berkeley in collaboration with NASA and Rocket Lab. The launch is planned aboard a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The cameras will play a crucial role in capturing images during the ESCAPADE mission, which aims to study Mars’ atmosphere and its interaction with solar winds. This initiative provides students with invaluable experience, allowing them to engage directly with NASA through all stages of the project, from conception to design, testing, and eventual launch.
According to Christopher Edwards, a professor of planetary science and director of NAU’s Radiant Center for Remote Sensing, it was essential to involve students in this groundbreaking project. “The students got to engage with NASA all the way through a project, from conception to design to testing to launch and beyond,” Edwards stated. The challenges faced included securing sensitive electronic components and ensuring that the cameras could withstand the harsh conditions of space.
Funding for this initiative came from the Arizona Board of Regents’ Technology Research Initiative Fund. Edwards, along with professors David Trilling, Chris Haberle, and Michael Shafer, guided the students as they worked on the cameras over three semesters. Their collaboration has resulted in a unique educational opportunity, preparing future planetary scientists and engineers for real-world challenges.
Once launched, the two spacecraft carrying the cameras will enter a “loitering” phase, positioned about 2 million miles from Earth for several months. During this period, a camera test will be conducted before continuing towards Mars, with an expected arrival in September 2027. It may take up to a year after the arrival for the cameras to begin capturing images of the Martian landscape.
Edwards expressed optimism about the potential findings of the mission. “We have northern lights here on Earth, and theoretically, so does Mars,” he noted. The cameras could provide unprecedented views of Martian auroras and true-color images from unique angles. Additionally, the infrared cameras may yield new insights into the evolution of Mars’ polar caps.
As the project progresses into the analysis phase, the team plans to recruit students with strong backgrounds in computing, data analysis, and science to assist in evaluating the images collected. Chris Haberle emphasized the excitement of working with instruments around another planet and analyzing the resulting data, stating, “It’s going to be an exciting time operating an instrument around another planet and analyzing the data that are returned.”
The collaborative effort between NAU students and faculty, along with their partnership with NASA, exemplifies the value of hands-on experience in education. This mission not only enhances academic growth but also contributes to the broader understanding of Mars, paving the way for future explorations and discoveries.
