Polaris I Station Lab is part of the permanent research outpost on alpha-1. Sitting on the demarkation line between day and night, Polaris is responsible for researching the night and thus the cold / ice side of the planet.
The research rocket can be launched in orbit to observe the planets surface but also to investigate planet / solar wind interaction, the planets thin atmosphere etc. The small scooters are used for short expeditions along the demarkation line.