HR: 0830h
AN: P41B-0408    [PDF]
TI: Maximizing Rover Science Return Through Autonomous Onboard Data Analysis
AU: * Anderson, R C
EM: Robert.C.Anderson@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Ca 91109-8099 United States
AU: Castano, R
EM: Rebecca.Castano@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Ca 91109-8099 United States
AU: Judd, M
EM: Michele.Judd@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Ca 91109-8099 United States
AU: Estlin, T
EM: Tara.Estlin@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Ca 91109-8099 United States
AU: Gaines, D
EM: Dan.Gaines@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Ca 91109-8099 United States
AU: Mazzoni, D
EM: Dominic.Mazzoni@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Ca 91109-8099 United States
AU: Fisher, F
EM: Forest.Fisher@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Ca 91109-8099 United States
AU: Bornstein, B
EM: Ben.Bornstein@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Ca 91109-8099 United States
AU: Castano, A
EM: Andres.Castano@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Ca 91109-8099 United States
AU: Scharenbroich, L
EM: Lucas.Scharenbroich@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Ca 91109-8099 United States
AU: Song, L
EM: Lin.Song@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, Ca 91109-8099 United States
AU: Gilmore, M
EM: mgilmore@wesleyan.edu
AF: Wesleyan University, Wesleyan Station, Middletown, CT 06459 United States
AB: There are three recognized approaches to maximizing the amount of science data in future missions: 1) return more data to Earth by increasing the capability of the Deep Space Network (DSN) to receive higher volumes of data, 2) develop data compression techniques to transmit more information per bit and, 3) increase the quality of the data returned to Earth by analyzing and prioritizing data onboard to identify key data for downlink. The goal of the Onboard Autonomous Science Investigation System (OASIS) is to increase the science return using onboard algorithms to evaluate and prioritize science information collected during a long traverse by a rover. The system has varying levels of autonomous operations. The least intrusive operational level provides two products: a prioritized list of images for downlink and a table summarizing the data collected between communication opportunities. In this scenario, the system analyzes rover data that are already collected for engineering purposes, such as navigation images, to determine what information is the most important to send back to Earth. The system's highest operational level autonomously directs the rover to select which surface targets to explore further, alter its path, and take additional measurements, which may even include contact measurements. In between these two extremes, a number of other system scenarios exist. It is not our intention to replace the scientists on robotic missions, but rather to improve the science return by making smart decisions regarding which data to collect and return.
DE: 6225 Mars
DE: 6297 Instruments and techniques
SC: Planetary Sciences [P]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting