Expedition to Montagna Blanca
Let's dive into the fantasy. Incredible silence on the edge of the lunar crater. Almost 400,000 km from Earth. Spectacular lunar landscape and on the background flashes the silhouette of the home planet. The tablet on the astronaut's wrist receives a video and a photo with a 360-degree view, highlighting the geologically interesting areas with arrows. A message appears on the screen: “Could you take a close-up of this boulder? Perhaps before you remains of a volcano! ”. This is a briefing from the controller on Earth. Thanks to geolocation, earth scientists and crew members on the moon know where you are.
This is just an imaginary scenario that can become a reality in the near future. Now the European Space Agency is developing an innovative tool that combines real-time positioning, data exchange, voice conversation and much more. The device was called “Electronic field book” - a universal and easy to use platform.
Electronic Field Book Interface
The electronic field book will be able to record every step of the expedition and link samples with sites and other sample sets. Each interaction with scientists will be saved in the system. The device combines data from other external devices, such as microscopes, a 360-degree camera or spectrometers. The astronaut will always have an area map, a glossary, and a mineral file in hand.
No insulation
An electronic field book combines geological features and communication. The device was created specifically to get rid of problems with communication in remote places. The updated version was first used in 2018 in Lanzarote (Spain). The device provided communication between the crew and the receiving point, even when immersed in a lava tube. The beauty is that at any moment you can get a full picture of operations on the selected location.
The device records and saves all actions, so mission members have access to literally any information. Usually, astronauts are forced to rely on experts, but this is not always possible. The electronic field book is a serious step in improving space research.
Future
You have a future with a virtual headset that displays three-dimensional geological maps and spectral measurements, as well as a description of the samples, which will improve the ability of scientists to quickly make decisions and send tips. The device is capable of transmitting 360-degree panoramas, giving the earth scientists a picture that astronauts see.
