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Tactical Rover-based Martian Geologic Mapping
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| Current state-of-practice techniques for location refinement of planetary surface rovers are too time-consuming to conduct during the
tactical science process of surface operations. As a result, uncertainty in the location of a rover during the tactical decision-making
process detracts from the quality of science planning. By expanding existing tactical software to "harvest" the inputs of team member
targeting of surrounding features during the normal course of science analysis, we have learned that it is possible to perform location
refinement quickly enough to inform the tactical science process. This improved knowledge will lead directly to the planning and
execution of superior geologic mapping observations. Enabling rover operators to perform location refinement during the tactical
planning process will enhance productivity in many ways, including: -increased data return and time available for execution of science
by using previously transmitted images for targeting and avoiding wasting time and bandwidth by retransmitting images of terrain
already on the ground to compensate for inadequate localization knowledge. -increased accuracy and quality of targeted science
observations -improved collaboration between science investigators, particularly those who are geographically distributed: We will
present an accurate geologic context to each scientist from within the science planning tool that he or she uses to analyze science data
and to collaborate with the group in planning new science observations. -support for integrating geologic mapping information from
rover science on a planetary scale by geographical information systems (GIS) integration¿opening additional avenues for cross-domain
collaboration and sharing of knowledge between science investigators This study directly addresses the specific goals of the ASIR
program by (1) adapting existing tactical processes to solve an important issue (positioning and data location within that position) for
rover science operations, (2) demonstrating that, through use of relatively simple improvements in existing data acquisition
methodologies the pace of mission accomplishments can be increased, (3) build on the interdisciplinary interaction of spacecraft
information specialists and end-users (scientists) to further refine operational methods, and (4) fostering increased science return
through methods that \"stitch\" site to site remote observations in a geologic framework supported by accurate position data. |
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