In-situ Exploration and Sample Return: Autonomous Planetary Mobility

Return to the Autonomous Planetary Mobility Page

In order to drive themselves the rovers take stereo images, from which 3-D terrain maps are generated automatically by the rover software. Traversability and safety is then determined from the height and density of rocks or steps, excessive tilts and roughness of the terrain. Dozens of possible paths are considered before the rover chooses the shortest, safest path toward the programmed geographical goal.