Open AccessIntroduction to the special section: The Marsokhod Silver Lake field experiment
Author(s) -
Stoker Carol
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: planets
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2000je001485
Subject(s) - mars exploration program , instrumentation (computer programming) , scientific instrument , martian , exploration of mars , systems engineering , remote sensing , field (mathematics) , computer science , aerospace engineering , special section , section (typography) , astrobiology , aeronautics , environmental science , geology , engineering , engineering physics , physics , astronomy , operating system , mathematics , pure mathematics
The Mars Surveyor program is planning a series of rover missions to Mars to perform in situ exploration and to collect samples for return to Earth. A successful program will require capable rovers carrying sophisticated payloads with instruments for in situ analysis as well as sample collection, handling, and preservation capability. Numerous critical technological, engineering, and scientific issues need to be addressed to insure a successful program. Rovers must be capable of carrying the required instrumentation and must travel long distances while surviving lengthy exposure to the extreme Martian environment.