maxon’s drive systems are very familiar with Mars. its drives have been used in virtually every successful robotic mission over the last three decades. There are now more than 100 of them on the Red Planet and there are likely to be more soon. The launch window for NASA’s next mission opened on 22 July. An Atlas V rocket launched the new Perseverance rover on its way to Mars, where it will be searching for signs of previous life on the planet. Its most important job is to take multiple soil samples, seal them in containers and deposit them on the surface of Mars so that a future mission can return them to Earth. Several maxon motors will be used to handle the samples inside the rover. For example, maxon DC motors are installed in the robotic arm, which moves the samples from station to station. maxon motors will also be used for sealing and depositing the sample containers.
Image copyright NASA/JPL-Caltech.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is carrying out the mission, and has asked maxon to produce ten drives for the rover. As with almost all previous Mars missions, these drives are based on standard products from maxon’s catalogue with modifications. For the first time, NASA is using brushless DC motors, including nine EC 32 flat and one EC 20 flat in combination with a GP 22 UP planetary gearhead. Working closely with JPL specialists, maxon engineers developed the drives over several years and tested them thoroughly to achieve the highest standards of quality. “We’ve learned a lot from this exciting project,” says Robin Phillips, head of the maxon SpaceLab. “We now have very broad expertise in space applications and have established quality assurance processes that meet the expectations of the industry. Customers from other industries such as the medical sector, where requirements are often similar, can also benefit from this know-how.” Space missions place the highest demands on drive systems. This includes vibrations during the rocket launch, vacuum during the journey, impacts on landing, and the harsh conditions on the surface of Mars, where temperatures fluctuate between -125°C and +20°C and dust penetrates everywhere.
maxon DC motors control the Mars helicopter
The Perseverance rover is expected to land on Mars on 18 February 2021 – but it won’t be alone. A drone helicopter called Ingenuity will be attached to the underside of the rover. It weighs 1,8 kilograms, is solar powered and will perform several short flights, as well as take aerial images. The main goal of this experiment is to test the concept for further drones of this kind. maxon has six brushed DCX motors with a diameter of 10 millimetres controlling the tilt of the rotor blades and the direction of flight. The drives are very light, dynamic and highly energy efficient. These properties are crucial, because every gram counts on the Mars helicopter. Flying on Mars is not easy. The atmosphere is extremely thin, roughly comparable to the conditions on Earth at an altitude of 30 kilometres. The drone helicopter has flown in a simulated test environment in the JPL laboratory. Whether it will lift off on Mars remains to be seen. First, other obstacles, such as the rocket launch, must be successful. “We hope that everything goes well and that we’ll soon see our drives in action on Mars,” says maxon CEO, Eugen Elmiger. “We’re all keeping our fingers crossed.”
From the editor's desk: A new era Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice
After fifteen years as editor of Motion Control, the time has come for me to hand over to Andrew Seldon. It has been a privilege to be part of this publication and to witness not only the remarkable advances in motion control, fluid power and automation, but also the enormous changes in the world around us.
Read more...OMRON Robotics demos next-generation autonomous mobile robots
Editor's Choice News & events Robotics & Mechatronics
Advancing smarter material flow with the all-new LD-150 and LD-300 AMRs, OMRON Robotics demonstrated the next generation of its flagship LD series autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at Automate 2026 in June.
Read more...The hidden heroes who shape Africa’s industrial future Bosch Rexroth Africa
Editor's Choice News & events
Behind every industrial success story, there’s a human one. Their names may never appear on a project signboard or in a headline. Yet their expertise and determination keep industries moving every day.
Read more...Bühler Southern Africa leads industry dialogue on apprenticeships
Editor's Choice News & events
Bühler Southern Africa brought together representatives from industry, government and international organisations on 30 June 2026 to explore how quality apprenticeships can help bridge the gap between high youth unemployment and industry demand for skilled technical workers.
Read more...Why lubrication fails in mining and what to do about it
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Lubrication Engineers explains the recurring failure points behind mining lubrication problems and how the right product, storage and application practices can improve equipment reliability.
Read more...Solving common automation challenges with Festo’s servo drive and servo motor solutions Festo
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Automation projects face challenges that include limited installation space, the need for precise and repeatable linear motion, rising cycle-speed demands, and seamless integration with existing control architectures. Festo’s servo portfolio directly addresses these issues with compact, modular drive and motor solutions designed for specific applications.
Read more...Inside the Giant Magellan Telescope with mechanical engineering at astronomical scale
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope, set to become the world’s largest Gregorian optical infrared telescope, is well underway. While its scientific mission is to transform astronomy, its performance depends heavily on advanced mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic engineering.
Read more...Jendamark catalyst shrinking technology leverages SEW-EURODRIVE precision SEW-EURODRIVE
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Innovative technology for shrinking catalytic converters, designed and built in South Africa by Jendamark Automation for the global market, relies on the precision of SEW-EURODRIVE’s highly dynamic servo-geared units and software.
Read more...Motion control for flight simulators Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Turkish specialist, SANLAB is a leader in motion platforms and simulation technologies. At the heart of these platforms are application-specific servo drives, servomotors and industrial PCs for real-time control, which are supplied by Beckhoff.
Read more...PC-based control for additive machine tools Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
IRPD is a specialist in additive machine tools. Development is heavily focused on high system throughput and consistently high process quality. This goal was achieved with the help of PC- and EtherCAT-based control and drive technology from Beckhoff.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version