RAL Space rovers roam the Science Museum

News release: 8th August 2011

Visitors to the Science Museum operate the RAL Space rovers
(Credit: Science Museum, London)

RAL Space robotic rovers were given extra tasks last week when they visited the Science Museum, London. Between the 2nd and 4th August, the five rovers were given centre stage in the Antenna Gallery as part of the museum's, "Spend your summer in Space" activities. Positioned underneath the IMAX Cinema, the rovers attracted huge attention, with 2,600 members of the public visiting the event and taking part in activities.

Aron Kisdi, Wayne Tubby and Christina McQuirk, of the RAL Space Robotics Team, gave expert guidance and supervision to visitors eager to operate the rovers. Visitors found out about Robotics at RAL Space and the difficulty in operating rovers remotely.  Children were also able to try their hand at manoeuvring the rovers, giving simple commands to navigate a course and retrieve and return samples to base control.

Intense activity over such a short period, coupled with some lively and enthusiastic operators, bent more on speed and collision, tested the rover's robustness. Fortunately, their durable design and engineering proved they were more than a match for these tasks, with all five rovers running smoothly throughout the workshop. The Robotics Team were delighted with the fleet's performance and now move on to the next stage of development.

Space activities are taking place at the museum throughout the summer holidays, details can be found on the Science Museum's website (link opens in a new window).