Nanokhod rover and Scorpion robot

Models of rovers and robots that might one day explore Mars, on display in the solar system section of the Space for Life Pavilion at the Berlin Air and Space Show (ILA) 2004. Advanced technology concepts such as these are under study within ESA's Basic Technology Research Programme.

Scorpion is a very agile robot with bio-inspired control system copying natural phenomena, using its legs to move in planetary areas with steep slopes and high canyons. Its control system is one of the most advanced for robots and can cope with very different terrains. Scorpion is under development by University of Bremen with funding from ESA's technology programme and the German Space Centre, DLR.

The 2 kg micro-rover Nanohkod is designed for very small missions and miniature planetary landers, and can transport and operate up to 1 kg of scientific payload instruments in the vicinity of the lander. Nanohkod can work in extreme environments with temperatures as low as –170°C and is developed by the German company von Hoerner & Sulger GmbH for ESA's Technology and Research Programme.