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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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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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Hock AN, Cabrol NA, Dohm JM, Piatek J, Warren-Rhodes K, Weinstein S, Wettergreen DS, Grin EA, Moersch J, Cockell CS, Coppin P, Ernst L, Fisher G, Hardgrove C, Marinangeli L, Minkley E, Ori GG, Waggoner A, Wyatt M, Smith T, Thompson D, Wagner M, Jonak D, Stubbs K, Thomas G, Pudenz E, Glasgow J. Life in the Atacama: A scoring system for habitability and the robotic exploration for life. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1029/2006jg000321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew N. Hock
- Department of Earth and Space Sciences; University of California, Los Angeles; Los Angeles California USA
| | - Nathalie A. Cabrol
- Space Science Division; NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
- SETI Institute; Mountain View California USA
| | - James M. Dohm
- Hydrology and Water Resources Department; University of Arizona; Tucson Arizona USA
| | - Jennifer Piatek
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; University of Tennessee; Knoxville Tennessee USA
| | - Kim Warren-Rhodes
- Space Science Division; NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
- SETI Institute; Mountain View California USA
| | - Shmuel Weinstein
- Molecular Biosensor and Imaging Center; Mellon Institute, Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | | | - Edmond A. Grin
- Space Science Division; NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
- SETI Institute; Mountain View California USA
| | - Jeffrey Moersch
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; University of Tennessee; Knoxville Tennessee USA
| | - Charles S. Cockell
- Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute; Open University; Milton Keynes UK
| | - Peter Coppin
- Eventscope, Remote Experience and Learning Laboratory, Studio for Creative Inquiry; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Lauren Ernst
- Molecular Biosensor and Imaging Center; Mellon Institute, Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Gregory Fisher
- Molecular Biosensor and Imaging Center; Mellon Institute, Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Craig Hardgrove
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; University of Tennessee; Knoxville Tennessee USA
| | | | - Edwin Minkley
- Molecular Biosensor and Imaging Center; Mellon Institute, Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | | | - Alan Waggoner
- Molecular Biosensor and Imaging Center; Mellon Institute, Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Mike Wyatt
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; University of Tennessee; Knoxville Tennessee USA
| | - Trey Smith
- Robotics Institute; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - David Thompson
- Robotics Institute; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Michael Wagner
- Robotics Institute; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Dominic Jonak
- Robotics Institute; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Kristen Stubbs
- Robotics Institute; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Geb Thomas
- GROK Laboratory; University of Iowa; Iowa City Iowa USA
| | - Erin Pudenz
- GROK Laboratory; University of Iowa; Iowa City Iowa USA
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Cabrol NA, Wettergreen D, Warren-Rhodes K, Grin EA, Moersch J, Diaz GC, Cockell CS, Coppin P, Demergasso C, Dohm JM, Ernst L, Fisher G, Glasgow J, Hardgrove C, Hock AN, Jonak D, Marinangeli L, Minkley E, Ori GG, Piatek J, Pudenz E, Smith T, Stubbs K, Thomas G, Thompson D, Waggoner A, Wagner M, Weinstein S, Wyatt M. Life in the Atacama: Searching for life with rovers (science overview). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1029/2006jg000298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie A. Cabrol
- Space Sciences Division; NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
- SETI Institute; Mountain View California USA
| | - David Wettergreen
- Robotics Institute; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Kim Warren-Rhodes
- Space Sciences Division; NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
- SETI Institute; Mountain View California USA
| | - Edmond A. Grin
- Space Sciences Division; NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
- SETI Institute; Mountain View California USA
| | - Jeffrey Moersch
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; University of Tennessee; Knoxville Tennessee USA
| | | | - Charles S. Cockell
- Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute; Open University; Milton Keynes UK
| | - Peter Coppin
- Robotics Institute; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | | | - James M. Dohm
- Hydrology and Water Resources Department; University of Arizona; Tucson Arizona USA
| | - Lauren Ernst
- Department of Biology; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Gregory Fisher
- Department of Biology; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Justin Glasgow
- Department of Industrial Engineering; University of Iowa; Iowa City Iowa USA
| | - Craig Hardgrove
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; University of Tennessee; Knoxville Tennessee USA
| | - Andrew N. Hock
- Department of Earth and Space Sciences; University of California; Los Angeles California USA
| | - Dominic Jonak
- Robotics Institute; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | | | - Edwin Minkley
- Department of Biology; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | | | - Jennifer Piatek
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; University of Tennessee; Knoxville Tennessee USA
| | - Erin Pudenz
- Department of Industrial Engineering; University of Iowa; Iowa City Iowa USA
| | - Trey Smith
- Robotics Institute; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Kristen Stubbs
- Robotics Institute; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Geb Thomas
- Department of Industrial Engineering; University of Iowa; Iowa City Iowa USA
| | - David Thompson
- Robotics Institute; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Alan Waggoner
- Department of Biology; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Michael Wagner
- Robotics Institute; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Shmuel Weinstein
- Department of Biology; Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Michael Wyatt
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; University of Tennessee; Knoxville Tennessee USA
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Cannon HN, Stoker CR, Dunagan SE, Davis K, Gómez-Elvira J, Glass BJ, Lemke LG, Miller D, Bonaccorsi R, Branson M, Christa S, Rodríguez-Manfredi JA, Mumm E, Paulsen G, Roman M, Winterholler A, Zavaleta JR. MARTE: Technology development and lessons learned from a Mars drilling mission simulation. J FIELD ROBOT 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/rob.20224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Stoker CR, Roush TL, Arvidson RE, Bresina JL, Bualat MG, Edwards LJ, Flueckiger LJ, Washington RM, Nguyen LA, Thomas H, Wright AR. Two dogs, new tricks: A two-rover mission simulation using K9 and FIDO at Black Rock Summit, Nevada. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2002. [DOI: 10.1029/2000je001490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carol R. Stoker
- Space Science Division, NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
| | - Ted L. Roush
- Space Science Division, NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
| | - Raymond E. Arvidson
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Washington University; St. Louis Missouri USA
| | - John L. Bresina
- Computational Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
| | - Maria G. Bualat
- Computational Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
| | - Laurence J. Edwards
- Computational Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
| | - Lorenzo J. Flueckiger
- Computational Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
| | - Richard M. Washington
- Computational Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
| | - Laurent A. Nguyen
- Computational Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
| | - Hans Thomas
- Computational Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
| | - Anne R. Wright
- Computational Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center; Moffett Field California USA
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7
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Jolliff B, Knoll A, Morris RV, Moersch J, McSween H, Gilmore M, Arvidson R, Greeley R, Herkenhoff K, Squyres S. Remotely sensed geology from lander-based to orbital perspectives: Results of FIDO rover May 2000 field tests. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2002. [DOI: 10.1029/2000je001470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- B. Jolliff
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Washington University; St. Louis Missouri USA
| | - A. Knoll
- Botanical Museum; Harvard University; Cambridge Massachusetts USA
| | | | - J. Moersch
- Department of Geological Sciences; University of Tennessee; Knoxville Tennessee USA
| | - H. McSween
- Department of Geological Sciences; University of Tennessee; Knoxville Tennessee USA
| | - M. Gilmore
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena California USA
| | - R. Arvidson
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Washington University; St. Louis Missouri USA
| | - R. Greeley
- Department of Geology; Arizona State University; Tempe Arizona USA
| | | | - S. Squyres
- Center for Radiophysics and Space Research; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
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8
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Arvidson RE, Squyres SW, Baumgartner ET, Schenker PS, Niebur CS, Larsen KW, SeelosIV FP, Snider NO, Jolliff BL. FIDO prototype Mars rover field trials, Black Rock Summit, Nevada, as test of the ability of robotic mobility systems to conduct field science. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2002. [DOI: 10.1029/2000je001464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. E. Arvidson
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Washington University; St. Louis Missouri USA
| | - S. W. Squyres
- Department of Astronomy; Cornell University; Ithaca New York USA
| | - E. T. Baumgartner
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena California USA
| | - P. S. Schenker
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California Institute of Technology; Pasadena California USA
| | - C. S. Niebur
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Washington University; St. Louis Missouri USA
| | - K. W. Larsen
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Washington University; St. Louis Missouri USA
| | - F. P. SeelosIV
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Washington University; St. Louis Missouri USA
| | - N. O. Snider
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Washington University; St. Louis Missouri USA
| | - B. L. Jolliff
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; Washington University; St. Louis Missouri USA
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Grin EA, Reagan MK, Cabrol NA, Bettis EA, Foster CT, Stoker CR, Moersch JE. Geological analysis of the Silver Lake Marsokhod field test from ground-truth sampling and mapping. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1029/1999je001171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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10
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Cabrol NA, Bettis EA, Glenister B, Chong G, Herrera C, Jensen A, Pereira M, Stoker CR, Grin EA, Landheim R, Thomas G, Golden J, Saville K, Ludvigson G, Witzke B. Nomad Rover Field Experiment, Atacama Desert, Chile: 2. Identification of paleolife evidence using a robotic vehicle: Lessons and recommendations for a Mars sample return mission. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1029/1999je001181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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11
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Cabrol NA, Chong-Diaz G, Stoker CR, Gulick VC, Landheim R, Lee P, Roush TL, Zent AP, Lameli CH, Iglesia AJ, Arrerondo MP, Dohm JM, Keaten R, Wettergreen D, Sims MH, Schwher K, Bualat MG, Thomas HJ, Zbinden E, Christian D, Pedersen L, Bettis A, Thomas G, Witzke B. Nomad Rover Field Experiment, Atacama Desert, Chile: 1. Science results overview. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1029/1999je001166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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12
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Gulick VC, Morris RL, Ruzon MA, Roush TL. Autonomous image analyses during the 1999 Marsokhod rover field test. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1029/1999je001182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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13
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Johnson JR, Ruff SW, Moersch J, Roush T, Horton K, Bishop J, Cabrol NA, Cockell C, Gazis P, Newsom HE, Stoker C. Geological characterization of remote field sites using visible and infrared spectroscopy: Results from the 1999 Marsokhod field test. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1029/1999je001149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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