A team of students and faculty from Northern Arizona University (NAU) has developed four advanced cameras that are set to launch into space, aimed at capturing images of Mars. This ambitious project, under NASA’s ESCAPADE mission, involves two traditional cameras and two infrared cameras designed and built by 35 NAU students over three semesters. The mission is slated for launch aboard a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The ESCAPADE mission, conceived by Rob Lillis from UC Berkeley, aims to explore Martian phenomena, and the contribution of NAU students represents a unique collaboration with NASA. Christopher Edwards, a professor of planetary science and director of NAU’s Radiant Center for Remote Sensing, emphasized the importance of student involvement in this endeavor.
By engaging in a hands-on project that spans conception, design, testing, and launch, students gain invaluable real-world experience. “The students got to engage with NASA throughout the project,” Edwards noted. “From figuring out how to secure a tiny electronics board to ensuring the optics and sensors could survive launch, they tackled every challenge.”
The initiative received funding from the Arizona Board of Regents’ Technology Research Initiative Fund, allowing Edwards to create specialized courses to guide students. He collaborated with professors David Trilling, Chris Haberle, and Michael Shafer, all from the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science, to oversee the students’ work.
After launch, the spacecraft will enter a loitering phase up to 2 million miles from Earth for several months, during which preliminary camera tests will take place. If everything proceeds as planned, the spacecraft is expected to reach Mars by September 2027, with the cameras potentially capturing images of the Red Planet in the following year.
The cameras are designed to document Martian auroras, akin to the northern lights observed on Earth. “We think we can capture the aurora with our cameras,” Edwards stated, pointing out the potential for groundbreaking discoveries. Additionally, the infrared cameras may provide fresh insights into the evolution of Mars’ polar caps.
As the mission progresses, there may be opportunities for students to assist with image analysis, further enhancing their practical experience. “For the operations and analysis phase of the project, we plan to recruit students with strong backgrounds in computing and data analysis,” Haberle explained. This initiative promises to be an exciting learning opportunity, contributing to the students’ future careers in planetary science and engineering.
As the launch approaches, follow Blue Origin on social media for updates on the launch date and livestreaming details. The collaboration between NAU and NASA not only highlights the capabilities of young scientists but also emphasizes the importance of education in advancing space exploration.
