Client's Requirement

To support the Mars Rover venture, Airbus Defence and Space required a state-of-the-art testing area – the Mars Yard – to simulate Mars’ terrains and conditions on their main site in Stevenage, UK. They required an indoor terrain, about the size of a basketball court, filled with 300 tonnes of specifically selected sand, complete with rocky obstacles which would mimic the appearance of a Martian landscape.

Our Solution

Airbus Defence and Space appointed Bouygues Energies & Services as their turnkey Design & Build partner for the delivery of Mars Yard. By working in close collaboration with the client, we were able to make every provision to ensure the facility replicated the Mars environment.

We ensured that the environment was highly controllable through the installation of ventilation and air conditioning, to maintain a temperature between 18 and 25 degrees. We also installed an external AHU with a high quality fabric air distribution duct to distribute air uniformly, without disturbing the fine sand terrain; and an ultra bright 2000 lux lighting system, to simulate typical light levels on Mars. The indoor floor surface was designed to a reddish-brown colour, in imitation of the Red Planet, and this was complemented by a large mural of the Martian landscape.

Our service included the construction of a unique, open grid ceiling, allowing suspension of services and a target grid system for the Mars Rover, as well as the installation of an elevated secure control room, built with 9m wide glazing and all necessary power and IT. This allowed a full view of the terrain area, enabling analysis of ExoMars behaviour such as drilling, roving and overall manoeuvrability.

Client Benefits

A single point of contact to boost performance
Working within a live operational site, we provided detailed design, architectural, procurement, construction, mechanical & electrical services and commissioning to deliver a one-of-a-kind world class facility.

Minimising environmental impact
By utilising existing building services, adapting them to new scope and layout, we minimised the financial and environmental impact that would have accompanied a Greenfield development.

User friendly and adaptable
The fully-fitted, elevated control room, built with the integrity of the environment in mind, will allow observation of the Mars Rover, without hindering or altering test results. Furthermore, the ability to alter environmental conditions means that the facility is highly adaptable to suit all manners of testing for the Mars Rover.

Cutting edge facility
The innovative project provides Airbus Defence and Space with a showpiece facility that will help develop the Mars Rover’s autonomous navigation, cementing their position in the aerospace field.