The issue of cost reduction pops frequently up in discussions on how to execute best practice space science. ESA has launched a number of initiatives, as well as the issue is addressed by ESF, who has recommended initiatives to cross border cooperation and knowledge sharing. Regarding DPUs in the context of knowledge sharing, little success have been achieved so far. The are maybe several reasons for this: DPUs have traditionally been considered a part of the scientific instruments themselves, and have therefore figured as an integral part of the instrument development and financing plan. Innoware A/S have conducted interviews revealing this fact, which gives rise to the problem, that the awareness of the costs of a customized DPU is low. Scientists estimates of the DPU costs range however from 150.000 EUR to over a million. which might be an underestimation due to “hidden“ costs in the process. The process is long and removes focus and development resources from the front end instrument. Sub suppliers quote up to 4 mill. EURO just to modify a DPU. It is the idea of Innoware A/S that DPUs can be systematized, so that development costs cost and time consumption can be reduced. It is our vision, that applying a standardized Innoware DPU to a given instrument should be counted in man weeks and not man years as reported for the customized ones presently used. Scientists should not have to bother with data processing and communicating. They should consider the DPU to be COTS product, Which is easily acquirable and available at a known low cost already from the first TRL stages, for where it should allow them to be testing the performance of their instruments, making the development process even more secure.

The project was kicked-off in 2007, funded under an ESA GSTP-4 contract, with the aim to develop and demonstrate an engineering model of the measurement principle developed by Aarhus University. The instrument is a combined laser anemometer and dust deposition analyzer for use on the surface of Mars and the team has succesfully demonstrated a robust and compact implementation of the instrument, capable of surviving the harsh environmental conditions on Mars.

Go-ahead has been given by ESA to proceed with the first phase in the development of an engineering model of the Lamda (Laser Anemometer and Martian Dust Analyzer) instrument. The first phase involves requirement and preliminary design combined with component analysis and tests to meet the requirement indorsed by the harsh environment on Mars. The consortium behind consist of University of Aarhus, Kirkholm Maskiningenører and Innoware. This instrument can measure wind speed/direction and dust deposition on the surface of Mars and is a candidate for selection for the ExoMars mission to be lauched in 2013.
See also the Mars Simulation Laboratory's and ESA's ExoMars/ homepage for further information.