CSA issues rover motion tracking system tender

The Canadian Space Agency is looking for a motion tracking system for its rovers to be used at its indoor workspaces. According to the tender the "objective of this acquisition process is to provide the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) with a motion tracking system (called MTS), as well as the comprehensive documentation and user training required to operate the system." The tender closes on November 04, 2021. No pricing or contract term are given. The scope of the project is described as follows: "The work to be carried out consists of the delivery of a functional motion tracking system including the cameras and all required ground support equipment (e.g., power supply, calibration equipment, reference targets), the software, user manuals in French and English (or at least one of the 2 languages), and a training session. Proposals must include training in French where possible, if not, in English, covering the basic features necessary to enable users (i.e., a group of approximately six CSA employees composed of technicians and engineers) to use the motion tracking system. For example, the training must cover familiarization with the equipment, its operating principle, calibration, measurement, backups, data transfer and the information necessary to understand the system in order to perform relevant measurements, without limitation." CSA indoor workspace for rovers. Credit: Canadian Space Agency. And the CSA also provided the following context: "The CSA needs a motion tracking system primarily to support its rover testing activities in the CSA's Rover Indoor Workspace (RIW) facility. This facility offers a 10 m by 14 m workspace dedicated to the testing of rovers and related technologies. It is surrounded by a large concrete border and a wall. Erreur ! Source du renvoi introuvable. illustrates the CSA's RIW facility in which a rover is deployed. The main intended use of the motion tracking system is to provide the CSA with the ability to obtain continuous, high-precision measurements of rover positioning, the so-called reality on the ground. An RTK DGPS system is currently the rover's field reality system used outdoors but it will not work indoors. The motion tracking system will therefore replace this system for indoor testing and operations. The use of a motion tracking system would benefit the CSA in the following ways:" allow the positioning of ground reality measurements inside the CSA building,increase the accuracy of measurements and the frequency of updating (compared toGPS), andreduce the amount of additional material on the rover and the associated electrical load(GPS requires heavy receivers and antennas). Credit: Canadian Space Agency. "The vehicles that will be tracked by the motion tracking system are rovers only. Currently, there are no plans to use flying systems such as drones. Rovers deployed in the RIW do not move faster than 0.5 m/s (1.8 km/h) in translation and 20 deg/s in heading. Rovers occupy cubic volumes ranging approximately from 0.5 m to 1.6 m. These rovers provide many surfaces to affix markers that will be tracked by the motion tracking system. Erreur ! Source du renvoi introuvable. shows a future fictitious rover that will be deployed in the RIW. This rover is currently the smallest rover being considered for tracking by the motion tracking system."