Feb 26, 2012

Like to Drive on the Moon?

White Label Space GLXP team is giving you the chance to remotely drive a rover on the Moon!

Check out this video message from Simon O'Reilly for more details, and don't forget to Like us on facebook!

 

Feb 13, 2012

Testing of Panel Edge Insert Joint

A quick (and dirty) test was carried out by the White Label Space team to get a feeling for the strength of the insert joint located at the side of a piece of scrap CFRP sandwich panel. The insert survived the maximum applied static load of about 1.5kN. Without the appropriate test equipment to hand, the team decided to use an innovative 'dynamic' test technique to take the joint all the way up to its rupture load. This test proved that the low-cost technique used make this joint is suitable for the lunar lander Structural Model that the White Label Space GLXP team is currently developing.

Feb 8, 2012

Lander Drop Tests 2 and 3

Continuing to refine the procedures for drop tests, the White Label Space lander design team conducted these additional tests. The crush length results for these single axis drop tests are now quite repeatable and efforts are now focussed on optimizing the video recording parameters to get maximum temporal resolution and image quality during the drop.

Tokyo Press Conference - Behind the Scenes

This video takes a look behind the scenes at the White Label Space Japan team's preparations for the high profile Rover Prototype Press Conference held in August 2011. The video (mostly in Japanese but with some English) includes interviews with the key team members responsible for the event and shows how they each contributed to making it a success.

Feb 7, 2012

Rover Experiments on Izu Oshima

This video shows rover field tests in Izu Oshima, a volcanic island about 100km south of Tokyo. The testing was carried out by White Label Space's Japan team in cooperation with Tohoku University Space Robotics Lab.

Feb 2, 2012

Cameras

It just wouldn't be as fun sending a spaceship to the moon if we couldn't have a look around with it once it's there. Also we wouldn't be able to meet the requirements of the GLXP either, so the Lander and Rover will both be equipped with cameras. The Lander's camera can operate both in still image mode and in video mode at 10 to 15 frames per second. It is mounted on an arm extending from the side of the Lander between the two egress ramps. It will be used to film the descent of the spacecraft to the moon as well as the Rover as it disembarks from the Lander and begins its lunar journey.
The Rover's camera can also capture still images as well as video footage. It will be used to film the journey across the moon and capture the high definition footage of the lunar surface which must be beamed back to Earth to complete the GLXP mission. White Label Space intends to use commercially available, rugged cameras which will be subjected to a full space-qualification program. The team is currently looking for industrial partners to provide the cameras used on the mission. This would be yet another one-of-a-kind marketing opportunity for any interested companies as the cameras used to capture the first images from the moon's surface for over 40 years will surely gain world-wide exposure. No pun intended!