Delft planetary labs
The Delft Planetary Labs (DPL) offers a coherent framework for research facilities that are centered on applications in planetary science. DPL is a ‘distributed lab’ consisting of lab facilities tailored to various research strategies that focus on studying properties of asteroids, planets and (icy) moons. All these facilities have in common that planetary properties and processes are studied using an ‘analogue approach’, i.e. by recreating conditions found on other planets, through lab environments, use of analogue materials or field (i.e. landscape) analogues. This approach offers excellent crosslinking of labs with each other and with other topics within department; they can provide observables, help test instruments and offer validation for in silico (modelling) studies. The following facilities below are part of the DPL: A pressure chamber for laboratory experiments, a drone for surveying planetary field analogues (Planetary Flight Office) and an Optics Lab.