A field experiment to simulate a rover mission to Mars was performed in February 1999. This experiment, the latest in a series of rover field experiments, was designed to demonstrate and validate technologies and investigation strategies for high-science, high-technology performance, and cost-effective planetary rover operations. Objectives: The experiment objectives were to: (1) train scientists in a mission configuration relevant to Surveyor program rover missions at a terrestrial analog field site simulating the criteria of high-priority candidate landing-sites on Mars; (2) develop optimal exploration strategies; (3) evaluate the effectiveness of imaging and spectroscopy in addressing science objectives; (4) assess the value and limitation of descent imaging in supporting rover operations; and (5) evaluate the ability of a science team to correctly interpret the geology of the field site using rover observations. A field site in the California Mojave Desert was chosen for its relevance to the criteria for landing site selection for the Mars Surveyor program. These criteria are: (1) evidence of past water activity; (2) presence of a mechanism to concentrate life; (3) presence of thermal energy sources; (4) evidence of rapid burial; and (5) excavation mechanisms that could expose traces of life.


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    Title :

    1999 Marsokhod Field Experiment: A Simulation of a Mars Rover Science Mission


    Contributors:
    Stoker, C. (author) / Cabrol, N. (author) / Roush, T. (author) / Gulick, V. (author) / Hovde, G. (author) / Moersch, J. (author)

    Conference:

    Lunar and Planetary Sciences


    Publication date :

    1999-01-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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