The traverse planning process for D-RATS 2010

Hörz, Friedrich; Lofgren, G. E.; Gruener, J. E.; Eppler, D. B.; Skinner, J. A.; Fortezzo, C. M.; Graf, Jodi; Bluethmann, William; Seibert, Marc A.; Bell, Ernest

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2012.02.008

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…SEV navigation was managed by a Google Earth interface [7] that also contained preliminary geologic maps created by the traverse planning teams [17]. While the crews were able to access these maps from the SEV during Desert RATS 2010, being able to also edit and add to them to create a working geologic map would be very valuable.…”

Section: Sev As a Field Toolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tools and technologies needed for conducting planetary field geology while on EVA: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers

et al. 2013

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a b s t r a c tThe tools used by crews while on extravehicular activity during future missions to other bodies in the Solar System will be a combination of traditional geologic field tools (e.g. hammers, rakes, sample bags) and state-of-the-art technologies (e.g. high definition cameras, digital situational awareness devices, and new geologic tools). In the 2010 Desert Research and Technology Studies (RATS) field test, four crews, each consisting of an astronaut/engineer and field geologist, tested and evaluated various technologies during two weeks of simulated spacewalks in the San Francisco volcanic field, Arizona. These tools consisted of both Apollo-style field geology tools and modern technological equipment not used during the six Apollo lunar landings. The underlying exploration driver for this field test was to establish the protocols and technology needed for an eventual manned mission to an asteroid, the Moon, or Mars. The authors of this paper represent Desert RATS geologist crewmembers as well as two engineers who worked on technology development. Here we present an evaluation and assessment of these tools and technologies based on our first-hand experience of using them during the analog field test. We intend this to serve as a basis for continued development of technologies and protocols used for conducting planetary field geology as the Solar System exploration community moves forward into the next generation of planetary surface exploration.

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Section: Sev As a Field Toolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tools and technologies needed for conducting planetary field geology while on EVA: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers

et al. 2013

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“…The traverse planning process for Desert RATS 2010 is described in detail by Horz et al [5] and Skinner and Fortezzo [6], both in this issue, and resulted in the preselection of EVA Stations as well as definition of science priorities at these Stations and the drives in between (for definitions of the terms traverse, drive, Station, and EVA used here, see also [7] in this issue). These plans were then interpreted and executed in real time by the crews in concert with their Science Backrooms (the subset of the Science Team that supported the crew during CC, for details, see [7,17] in this issue).…”

Section: Desert Rats 2010 Field Geology Protocolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, the 2010 Desert RATS crewmembers experimented with rudimentary approaches to planetary geologic mapping by adapting some of the various tools available to us (see Section 3.5.2). A more extensive demonstration of the role of geologic mapping was also done as part of the traverse-planning process [5,6]. It relied heavily on remotely-sensed data (i.e.…”

Section: Mappingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The field test was designed to execute geologic traverses through a terrain of cinder cones, lava flows and underlying sedimentary units in the San Francisco volcanic field north of Flagstaff, Arizona. Prior to the test, a series of traverses were planned in conjunction with the U.S. Geologic Survey Astrogeology Branch using techniques that were first developed during Apollo [5,6]. The traverses were designed to simulate a reconnaissance investigation of a planetary surface with a variety of communications and operational constraints.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Field geologic observation and sample collection strategies for planetary surface exploration: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers

et al. 2013

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a b s t r a c tObservation is the primary role of all field geologists, and geologic observations put into an evolving conceptual context will be the most important data stream that will be relayed to Earth during a planetary exploration mission. Sample collection is also an important planetary field activity, and its success is closely tied to the quality of contextual observations. To test protocols for doing effective planetary geologic fieldwork, the Desert RATS (Research and Technology Studies) project deployed two prototype rovers for two weeks of simulated exploratory traverses in the San Francisco volcanic field of northern Arizona. The authors of this paper represent the geologist crewmembers who participated in the 2010 field test. We document the procedures adopted for Desert RATS 2010 and report on our experiences regarding these protocols. Careful consideration must be made of various issues that impact the interplay between field geologic observations and sample collection, including time management; strategies related to duplication of samples and observations; logistical constraints on the volume and mass of samples and the volume/transfer of data collected; and paradigms for evaluation of mission success. We find that the 2010 field protocols brought to light important aspects of each of these issues, and we recommend best practices and modifications to training and operational protocols to address them. Underlying our recommendations is the recognition that the capacity of the crew to ''flexibly execute'' their activities is paramount. Careful design of mission parameters, especially field geologic protocols, is critical for enabling the crews to successfully meet their science objectives.& 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Abbreviations and definitions: 2/D, twice-per-day communications; CC, continuous communications; CFN, crew field note; Cuff, arm-mounted computer control for CFN system; D&C, divide-and-conquer; Desert RATS, Desert Research and Technology Studies; Drive, movement of SEV between Stations; EVA, extravehicular activities; Flexecution, flexible execution; GigaPan, robotic pan-tilt-zoom camera mount for high-resolution panoramic imaging; GIS, geographic information system; High-grading, prioritization for potential Earth-return; IVA, intravehicular activities; KML-format, Google Earth file format for GIS data; L&F, lead-and-follow; Science Backroom, subset of the Science Team that supports the crew during CC; Science Team, mission control personnel that support, guide, and direct the science operations done by the crew; SEV, space exploration vehicle; Station, location where SEV has stopped for science or operational work (with or without an EVA); Suitport, rear hatches on the SEV that allow quick egress/ingress for EVAs along with dust mitigation; Traverse, series of Stations and drives n Corresponding author. Tel.: þ1 915 747 5669; fax: þ1 915 747 5073. E-mail address: jhurtado@utep.edu (J.M. Hurtado Jr.). Acta Astronautica ] (]]]]) ]]]-]]]Please cite this article as: J.M...

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“…Hardware and operation tests conducted in field campaigns that simulate planetary scenarios frequently bring valuable knowledge that contributes to preparation for human missions to planetary bodies (e.g., Desert Research and Technology Studies; Abercromby et al, ; Eppler et al, ; Hӧrz et al, ; Hurtado et al, ; Ross et al, ; Young et al, ). The sample collection workflow during future human missions to planetary bodies will likely benefit from portable/hand‐held geochemical and mineralogical instruments (Hurtado et al, ; Young et al, , , ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Incorporation of Portable Infrared Spectral Imaging Into Planetary Geological Field Work: Analog Studies at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, and Potrillo Volcanic Field, New Mexico

Ito

Rogers

Young

et al. 2018

Earth and Space Science

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During geological work for future planetary missions, portable/hand‐held infrared spectral imaging instruments have the potential to significantly benefit science objectives. We assess how ground‐based infrared spectral imaging can be incorporated into geological field work in a planetary setting through a series of field campaigns at two analog sites: Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, and Potrillo Volcanic Field, New Mexico. For this study, we utilize thermal infrared emission spectroscopy (8–13 μm) because this wavelength range is sensitive to major silicate spectral features and covers the terrestrial atmospheric window; however, our conclusions are applicable to other forms of infrared imaging (e.g., near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy). We demonstrate the ways in which spectral imaging could potentially enhance the science return and/or efficiency of traditional geological field work. Benefits include the following: documentation of major compositional variations within scenes, the ability to detect visually subtle and/or concealed variability in (sub) units, and the ability to characterize remote and/or inaccessible outcrops. These advantages could help field workers rapidly document sample context and develop strategic work plans. Furthermore, ground‐based imaging provides a critical link between orbital/aerial imaging scales and sampling scales. Last, infrared spectral imaging data may be combined with in situ measurement techniques, such as X‐ray fluorescence, as well as other ground‐based remote sensing techniques, such as LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), to maximize geological understanding of the work area.

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The traverse planning process for D-RATS 2010

Cited by 16 publications

References 3 publications

Tools and technologies needed for conducting planetary field geology while on EVA: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers

Tools and technologies needed for conducting planetary field geology while on EVA: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers

Field geologic observation and sample collection strategies for planetary surface exploration: Insights from the 2010 Desert RATS geologist crewmembers

Incorporation of Portable Infrared Spectral Imaging Into Planetary Geological Field Work: Analog Studies at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, and Potrillo Volcanic Field, New Mexico

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