Testing Rover Science Protocols to Identify Possible Biosignatures on Mars: Achieving Sampling Goals Under a Highly Constrained Time Line.

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

SUBMITTER: Yingst RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9618400 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature