The CISRU project has focused on the development of a software suite for planetary (and terrestrial) robotics, fully abstracted from the robotic platform and enabling interaction between rovers and astronauts […]
rover
Posted inAnalog Studies, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Fossils & Paleontology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Microbiology & Virology, Status Report
Ground-Truthing Lipids and Other Complex Microbial Biomarkers in the Iron-Sulfur Rich Río Tinto Analog
Sulfate and iron oxide deposits in Río Tinto (Southwestern Spain) are a terrestrial analog of early martian hematite-rich regions. Understanding the distribution and drivers of microbial life in iron-rich environments […]
Posted inAnalog Studies, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Exploration Gear & Tech, Fossils & Paleontology, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report
Away Team Droid Tech: Martian Exploration of Lava Tubes (MELT) with ReachBot: Scientific Investigation and Concept of Operations
As natural access points to the subsurface, lava tubes and other caves have become premier targets of planetary missions for astrobiological analyses.
Posted inAnalog Studies, Artemis & Lunar Exploration, Away Teams & Field Reports, Exploration Gear & Tech, Missions & Hardware, Moon, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report
Away Team Droid Tech: Multi-Objective Global Path Planning for Lunar Exploration With a Quadruped Robot
In unstructured environments the best path is not always the shortest, but needs to consider various objectives like energy efficiency, risk of failure or scientific outcome.
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Tricorders & Sensors
Laser Upgrade For The ExoMars Rosalind Franklin Astrobiology Rover
After some time off the road, vehicles require proper maintenance checks. The ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover is no exception and got an upgrade to one of its electronic boxes in […]
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Away Teams & Field Reports, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Exploration Gear & Tech, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Sample Return, Status Report
AwayTeam Tech: Distributed Instruments for Planetary Surface Science: Scientific Opportunities and Technology Feasibility
In this paper, we assess the scientific promise and technology feasibility of distributed instruments for planetary science. A distributed instrument is an instrument designed to collect spatially and temporally correlated […]
Posted inExploration Gear & Tech, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs
Astrobiology Droid Traverse Planning Via Open Science Mars Mapping
Combining images from orbit with images from the surface, a JPL-developed tool allows researchers to zoom in to see individual boulders and zoom out to see all of Mars.
Posted inAI - Data - Apps - Cybernetics, Exploration Gear & Tech, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Status Report, Tricorders & Sensors
AI in Space for Scientific Missions: Strategies for Minimizing Neural-Network Model Upload
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize space exploration by delegating several spacecraft decisions to an onboard AI instead of relying on ground control and predefined procedures.
Posted inAstrogeology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report
The Surface Of Mars Up Close
Using an onboard focusing process, the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) aboard NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity created this product by merging two to eight images previously taken by the MAHLI, […]
![[Left] NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Right Mastcam-Z camera on April 9, 2024 (Sol 1115) at the local mean solar time of 12:03:55. Larger image [Right] this image using its Left Mastcam-Z camera on April 9, 2024 (Sol 1115) at the local mean solar time of 12:03:54. Larger image. Image Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU [Larger version of both images]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AstrobiologySymbols.png?resize=1200%2C716&ssl=1)
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Education and Outreach, Exploration Gear & Tech, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Intelligence & Language, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Origin & Evolution of Life, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Science Fiction, Societal Issues
There Are Astrobiology Emojis On A Droid Driving Around Mars
Editor’s note: In case you have not spent time going through the torrent of images from the two NASA Astrobiology Mars Rovers currently in operation, there’s one feature on Mars […]