HEMERA

The mission HEMERA aims to prequalify a future manned capsule of our partner The Exploration Company including unmanned payloads. In this test, the capsule NYX is launched by a the Falcon 9 of SpaceX, orbits Earth several times, and then undocks to descend into the ocean under parachute deceleration. Neurospace takes the opportunity to include a 12U experimental box as a secondary payload. Inside the capsule, two different suspension systems—developed by Neurospace—are installed. These suspensions including the motors remain locked during the flight, then are activated in microgravity by mechanisms that rotate the motors and convert the suspension into an up-and-down movement. This setup tests both the landing gear and the motors during the microgravity phase, beside several mechanical switches and deployment systems for the moon rover are tested too. Before the capsule lands, the systems are locked again, and the subsequent hard ocean landing provides an additional stress test, allowing for detailed analysis and targeted reinforcement of the joints afterward.