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Task Adaptive Walking Robots for Mars Surface ExplorationThere are exciting opportunities for robot science that lie beyond the reach of current manipulators, rovers, balloons, penetrators, etc. Examples include mobile explorations of the densely cratered Mars highlands, of asteroids, and of moons. These sites are believed to be rich in geologic history and mineralogical detail, but are difficult to robotically access and sample. The surface terrains are rough and changeable, with variable porosity and dust layering; and the small bodies present further challenges of low-temperature, micro-gravity environments. Even the more benign areas of Mars are highly variegated in character (>VL2 rock densities), presenting significant risk to conventional rovers. The development of compact walking robots would have applications to the current mission set for Mars surface exploration, as well as enabling future Mars Outpost missions, asteroid rendezvous missions for the Solar System Exploration Program (SSE) and the mechanical assembly/inspection of large space platforms for the Human Exploration and Development of Spaces (HEDS).
Document ID
20010023128
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Huntsberger, Terry
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Hickey, Gregory
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Kennedy, Brett
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Aghazarian, Hrand
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 2000
Publication Information
Publication: Concepts and Approaches for Mars Exploration
Issue: Part 1
Subject Category
Cybernetics, Artificial Intelligence And Robotics
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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