Tag

Rovers

All articles tagged with #rovers

Living on Mars time: NASA engineers bend their days to a 24h39m sol
space7 days ago

Living on Mars time: NASA engineers bend their days to a 24h39m sol

Two NASA rovers, Curiosity and Perseverance, run on a Martian day of 24 hours 39 minutes, so JPL staff spend about 90 sols living on Mars time, shifting their wake/sleep cycles and meals to align with Martian sunrise. Because of the signal delay, commands are scripted for the next sol rather than realtime control, and coping measures like blue-light lighting, blackout curtains, and timed caffeine help manage sleep loss and social dislocation. After the commissioning phase, teams gradually revert to Earth time, aided by increased rover autonomy (Mars Global Localization) that reduces the need for humans to chase Martian dawn.

Mars in Two Ages: Curiosity and Perseverance Spotlight Different Eras in 360 Panoramas
science29 days ago

Mars in Two Ages: Curiosity and Perseverance Spotlight Different Eras in 360 Panoramas

NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance released separate 360-degree panoramas showing Mars' long history: Curiosity's view over boxwork ridges in Gale Crater reveals groundwater-formed rock as it climbs Mount Sharp, while Perseverance's Lac de Charmes panorama around Jezero Crater captures ancient rocks in one of the oldest landscapes on the planet. Both rovers continue collecting data and samples to unravel Mars' past habitability and potential for life, with Curiosity probing mineral evidence and Perseverance storing and studying samples for eventual Earth-based analysis.

NASA Rovers' Stuck Issues Unveiled
science9 months ago

NASA Rovers' Stuck Issues Unveiled

NASA's robotic rovers frequently get stuck on alien terrains due to overlooked effects of gravity on granular soils like moon and Mars dust. Recent research using physics-based simulations reveals that the behavior of dust under different gravitational conditions significantly impacts rover mobility, providing insights to improve future rover design and prevent them from getting stuck. This understanding is crucial for successful exploration of extraterrestrial surfaces.

Perseverance Rover Faces Challenges Amid Stunning Mars Discoveries
science1 year ago

Perseverance Rover Faces Challenges Amid Stunning Mars Discoveries

NASA's Perseverance and Curiosity rovers are facing significant challenges on Mars. Perseverance is struggling with steep and slippery terrain while attempting to reach the rim of Jezero Crater, slowing its progress. Meanwhile, Curiosity encountered difficulties in Gediz Vallis, getting stuck on a rock and halting its journey. Both rovers are adapting their strategies to navigate the harsh Martian environment, with Perseverance attempting backward driving for better traction and Curiosity focusing on remote sensing while planning its next move.

"NASA's Fleet of Lunar Rovers Poised for Exploration"
space-exploration2 years ago

"NASA's Fleet of Lunar Rovers Poised for Exploration"

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has completed the assembly and testing of a trio of small rovers as part of the CADRE project, which aims to demonstrate the ability of robotic spacecraft to work together autonomously on the Moon. The solar-powered rovers, about the size of a carry-on suitcase, will explore the Moon's Reiner Gamma region, conducting experiments and using ground-penetrating radar. Engineers have also tested the rovers' cooperative autonomy software, ensuring they can adjust plans and respond to unexpected obstacles as a team. The hardware will be installed on a lander headed for the Moon's surface, with the ultimate goal of paving the way for future missions involving teams of robots working together to conduct scientific measurements.

"NASA's CADRE Rover: Ready for Lunar Exploration"
space-exploration2 years ago

"NASA's CADRE Rover: Ready for Lunar Exploration"

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has completed construction and testing of a trio of small rovers called CADRE, which will explore the Moon's Reiner Gamma region as a technology demonstration. The rovers, about the size of a carry-on suitcase, will autonomously map the lunar surface and use ground-penetrating radar. The project aims to show the potential of multirobot missions and pave the way for future missions involving teams of robots working together. The rovers have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they can withstand the harsh conditions of space and the lunar environment, and will be installed on a lander headed for the Moon.

"Visualizing the Accumulation of Space Debris on Mars"
space2 years ago

"Visualizing the Accumulation of Space Debris on Mars"

A map reveals over seven tonnes of debris left on Mars by human missions, including parachutes, heat shields, and broken equipment. Despite the failed missions, ongoing efforts by rovers like Nasa's Curiosity and Perseverance aim to uncover signs of past life on the Red Planet. As space exploration continues, the balance between scientific discovery and environmental impact must be considered for future missions, with sustainability in mind.

Inside JPL's First Open House in 4 Years: A Space Fanatic's Dream Come True.
science-and-technology3 years ago

Inside JPL's First Open House in 4 Years: A Space Fanatic's Dream Come True.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) held its first Explore JPL event in four years, with 36,000 tickets available for the two-day event. Visitors got to take a trip through Mission Control, check out full-scale replicas of machines sent to other planets, and talk to the people who built them. The event included a replica of the Mars ascent vehicle, a model of the Perseverance rover, and a 1:1 replica of Ingenuity, the first helicopter to fly on Mars. The Scarecrow rover was also on display, which rover drivers use to practice their skills here on Earth.

NASA's Bold Plan to Reach Mars in Record Time.
space3 years ago

NASA's Bold Plan to Reach Mars in Record Time.

NASA is considering launching a series of lower-cost, sustainable missions to Mars once every two years, instead of developing expensive rovers for the Red Planet. The space agency's Director of the Mars Exploration Program, Eric Ianson, unveiled the long-term strategy for exploring Mars, titled "Exploring Mars Together," which proposes low-cost missions between $100 million to $300 million each. NASA's focus is on its Moon to Mars objectives, including the use of NASA's Space Launch System rocket for deep space exploration. The agency is no longer interested in developing increasingly complex robots for the Red Planet, except for the Mars Sample Return mission, which is a joint effort between NASA and the European Space Agency.

Innovative Techniques for Mars Rovers to Explore Caves
space3 years ago

Innovative Techniques for Mars Rovers to Explore Caves

Engineers at the University of Arizona have developed a communication network system that could allow autonomous rovers to explore caves and other underground features on Mars to scout out habitats for astronauts. The system involves a "mesh topology network" that links different types of rover vehicles, which would deploy communication nodes along the way, just like Hansel and Gretel leave a trail of breadcrumbs. The rovers would continuously monitor their environment and maintain awareness of where they are in space, allowing them to navigate underground environments without ever losing contact with their "mother rover" on the surface.