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Yingst RA, Bartley JK, Chidsey TJ, Cohen BA, Curran N, Hynek BM, Kah LC, Minitti ME, Vanden Berg MD, Williams RM, Gemperline J, Lotto M, Black S, Bartley BC, Pearson T. Testing Rover Science Protocols to Identify Possible Biosignatures on Mars: Achieving Sampling Goals Under a Highly Constrained Time Line. ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:1310-1329. [PMID: 36112369 PMCID: PMC9618400 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
At a Mars analog site in Utah, we tested two science operation methods for data acquisition and decision-making protocols: a scenario where the tactical day is preplanned, but major adjustments may still be made before plan delivery; and a scenario in which the sol path must largely be planned before a given tactical planning day and very few adjustments to the plan may be made. The goal was to provide field-tested insight into operations planning for rover missions where science operations must facilitate the efficient choice of sampling locations at a site relevant to searching for habitability and biosignatures. Results of the test indicate that preplanning sol paths did not result in a sol cost savings nor did it improve science return or optimal biologically relevant sample collection. In addition because facies variations in an environment can be subtle and evident only at scales below orbital resolution, acquiring systematic observations is crucial. We also noted that while spectral data provided insight into the chemical components as a whole at this site, they did not provide a guide to targets for which the traverse should be altered. Finally, strategic science planning must include a special effort to account for terrain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julie K. Bartley
- Department of Geology, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | | | | - Brian M. Hynek
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Linda C. Kah
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | | | | | - John Gemperline
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Michael Lotto
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | | | | | - Taylor Pearson
- Department of Geology, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota, USA
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Gaines D, Doran G, Paton M, Rothrock B, Russino J, Mackey R, Anderson R, Francis R, Joswig C, Justice H, Kolcio K, Rabideau G, Schaffer S, Sawoniewicz J, Vasavada A, Wong V, Yu K, Agha‐mohammadi A. Self‐reliant rovers for increased mission productivity. J FIELD ROBOT 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/rob.21979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gaines
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | - Gary Doran
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | - Michael Paton
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | - Brandon Rothrock
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | - Joseph Russino
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | - Ryan Mackey
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | - Robert Anderson
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | - Raymond Francis
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | - Chet Joswig
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | - Heather Justice
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | | | - Gregg Rabideau
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | - Steve Schaffer
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | - Jacek Sawoniewicz
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | - Ashwin Vasavada
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | - Vincent Wong
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
| | - Kathryn Yu
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadena California USA
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Yingst RA, Bartley JK, Chidsey TJ, Cohen BA, Hynek BM, Kah LC, Minitti ME, Vanden Berg MD, Williams RM, Adams M, Black S, El-Maarry MR, Gemperline J, Kronyak R, Lotto M. Is a Linear or a Walkabout Protocol More Efficient When Using a Rover to Choose Biologically Relevant Samples in a Small Region of Interest? ASTROBIOLOGY 2020; 20:327-348. [PMID: 32023426 PMCID: PMC7071088 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2019.2090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We conducted a field test at a potential Mars analog site to provide insight into planning for future robotic missions such as Mars 2020, where science operations must facilitate efficient choice of biologically relevant sampling locations. We compared two data acquisition and decision-making protocols currently used by Mars Science Laboratory: (1) a linear approach, where sites are examined as they are encountered and (2) a walkabout approach, in which the field site is first examined with remote rover instruments to gain an understanding of regional context followed by deployment of time- and power-intensive contact and sampling instruments on a smaller subset of locations. The walkabout method was advantageous in terms of both the time required to execute and a greater confidence in results and interpretations, leading to enhanced ability to tailor follow-on observations to better address key science and sampling goals. This advantage is directly linked to the walkabout method's ability to provide broad geological context earlier in the science analysis process. For Mars 2020, and specifically for small regions to be explored (e.g., <1 km2), we recommend that the walkabout approach be considered where possible, to provide early context and time for the science team to develop a coherent suite of hypotheses and robust ways to test them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julie K. Bartley
- Department of Geology, Gustavus Adolphus College, St Peter, Minnesota
| | | | | | - Brian M. Hynek
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Linda C. Kah
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | | | | | | | - Madison Adams
- Department of Geology, Gustavus Adolphus College, St Peter, Minnesota
| | - Sarah Black
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Mohammed R. El-Maarry
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - John Gemperline
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
| | - Rachel Kronyak
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee
| | - Michael Lotto
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
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Yingst R, Berger J, Cohen B, Hynek B, Schmidt M. Determining best practices in reconnoitering sites for habitability potential on Mars using a semi-autonomous rover: A GeoHeuristic Operational Strategies Test. ACTA ASTRONAUTICA 2017; 132:268-281. [PMID: 29307922 PMCID: PMC5754930 DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2016.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We tested science operations strategies developed for use in remote mobile spacecraft missions, to determine whether reconnoitering a site of potential habitability prior to in-depth study (a walkabout-first strategy) can be a more efficient use of time and resources than the linear approach commonly used by planetary rover missions. Two field teams studied a sedimentary sequence in Utah to assess habitability potential. At each site one team commanded a human "rover" to execute observations and conducted data analysis and made follow-on decisions based solely on those observations. Another team followed the same traverse using traditional terrestrial field methods, and the results of the two teams were compared. Test results indicate that for a mission with goals similar to our field case, the walkabout-first strategy may save time and other mission resources, while improving science return. The approach enabled more informed choices and higher team confidence in choosing where to spend time and other consumable resources. The walkabout strategy may prove most efficient when many close sites must be triaged to a smaller subset for detailed study or sampling. This situation would arise when mission goals include finding, identifying, characterizing or sampling a specific material, feature or type of environment within a certain area.
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Affiliation(s)
- R.A. Yingst
- Planetary Science Institute, 1700 E. Ft. Lowell, Suite 106, Tucson, AZ 85719 USA
| | - J. Berger
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - B.A. Cohen
- NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, VP62, 320 Sparkman Dr., Huntsville, AL 35805 USA
| | - B. Hynek
- Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics and Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, 392 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309 USA
| | - M.E. Schmidt
- Dept. of Earth Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada L2S 3A1
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