Journal article
The 1999 Marsokhod rover mission simulation at Silver Lake, California: Mission overview, data sets, and summary of results
Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, Vol.106(E4), pp.7639-7663
04/25/2001
DOI: 10.1029/1999JE001178
Abstract
We report on a field experiment held near Silver Lake playa in the Mojave Desert in February 1999 with the Marsokhod rover. The payload (Descent Imager, PanCam, Mini‐TES, and Robotic Arm Camera), data volumes, and data transmission/receipt windows simulated those planned for the Mars Surveyor mission selected for 2001. A central mast with a pan and tilt platform at 150 cm height carried a high‐resolution color stereo imager to simulate the PanCam and a visible/near‐infrared fiberoptic spectrometer (operating range 0.35–2.5 μm). Monochrome stereo navigation cameras were mounted on the mast and the front and rear of the rover near the wheels. A field portable infrared spectroradiometer (operating range 8–14 μm) simulated the Mini‐TES. A Robotic Arm Camera, capable of close‐up color imaging at 23 μm/pixel resolution, was used in conjunction with the excavation of a trench into the subsurface. The science team was also provided with simulated images from the Mars Descent Imager and orbital panchromatic and multispectral imaging of the site obtained with the French SPOT, airborne Thermal Infrared Mapping Spectrometer, and Landsat Thematic Mapper instruments. Commands sequences were programmed and sent daily to the rover, and data returned were limited to 40 Mbits per communication cycle. During the simulated mission, 12 commands were uplinked to the rover, it traversed ∼90 m, six sites were analyzed, 11 samples were collected for laboratory analysis, and over 5 Gbits of data were collected. Twenty‐two scientists, unfamiliar with the location of the field site, participated in the science mission from a variety of locations, accessing data via the World Wide Web. Remote science interpretations were compared with ground truth from the field and laboratory analysis of collected samples. Using this payload and mission approach, the science team synergistically interpreted orbital imaging and infrared spectroscopy, descent imaging, rover‐based imaging, infrared spectroscopy, and microscopic imaging to deduce a consistent and largely correct interpretation of the geology, mineralogy, stratigraphy, and exobiology of the site. Use of imaging combined with infrared spectroscopy allowed source outcrops to be identified for local rocks on an alluvial fan. Different lithologies were distinguished both near the rover and at distances of hundreds of meters or more. Subtle differences such as a contact between dolomite and calcite were identified at a distance of 0.5 km. A biomarker for endolithic microbiota, a plausible life form to be found on Mars, was successfully identified. Microscopic imaging of soils extracted from the surface and subsurface allowed the mineralogy and fluvial history of the trench site to be deduced. The scientific productivity of this simulation shows that this payload and mission approach has high science value and would contribute substantially to achieving the goals of Mars exploration.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The 1999 Marsokhod rover mission simulation at Silver Lake, California: Mission overview, data sets, and summary of results
- Creators
- C. R Stoker - Ames Research CenterE. A Bettis - University of IowaT Foster - University of IowaN. A Cabrol - Ames Research CenterT. R Roush - Ames Research CenterP. C Lee - Ames Research CenterM Reagan - University of IowaJ Moersch - University of TennesseeG Thomas - University of IowaJ Aubele - New Mex. Mus. of Nat. Hist. and Sci.N Barlow - University of Central FloridaJ Bishop - Ames Research CenterM Chapman - United States Geological SurveyS Clifford - Lunar and Planetary InstituteC Cockell - Ames Research CenterL Crumpler - New Mex. Mus. of Nat. Hist. and Sci.R Craddock - Smithsonian InstitutionR De Hon - University of Louisiana at MonroeK Horton - University of Hawaiʻi at MānoaV Gulick - Ames Research CenterG Hovde - Ames Research CenterE Grin - Ames Research CenterJ. R Johnson - United States Geological SurveyM. T Lemmon - University of ArizonaH. E Newsom - University of New Mexico HospitalG. G Ori - Gabriele d’Annunzio UniversityJ Marshall - Ames Research CenterJ. W Rice - University of ArizonaS. W Ruff - Arizona State UniversityJ Schreiner - Ames Research CenterM Sims - Ames Research CenterP. H Smith - University of ArizonaK Tanaka - United States Geological SurveyH. J Thomas - Ames Research CenterR. A Yingst - University of Arizona
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, Vol.106(E4), pp.7639-7663
- DOI
- 10.1029/1999JE001178
- ISSN
- 0148-0227
- eISSN
- 2156-2202
- Number of pages
- 25
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/25/2001
- Academic Unit
- Earth and Environmental Sciences; Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984186953402771
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