Rovers are desirable for surface exploration because they allow sampling, and sample returns from several diverse locations on a planet's surface. Unfortunately, the rovers currently being examined for Mars exploration have several undesirable features. These rovers are quite massive (500 kg to one ton), have very complicated operations, and are very expensive. A possible alternative is described to using large rovers for exploring the surface of Mars. The idea of mini-rovers is proposed. Mini-rovers weigh less than 5 kg, are trivial to control from the ground, and can do a more thorough survey of the terrain (per kilogram of mass) than can be obtained by large rovers. By redesigning the Mars sample return mission to accommodate the idea of mini-rovers and small spacecraft, considerable mass and cost savings can be achieved.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Mini-rovers for Mars explorations


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    1990-04-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Mini-Rovers for Mars Explorations

    D. P. Miller | NTIS | 1990


    Comparative Locomotion Study for MARS Micro-Rovers and Mini-Rovers

    Patel, N. / Ellery, A. / Curley, A. | AIAA | 2004


    A mini loop heat pipe suitable for Mars rovers

    Pauken, M. T. / Birur, G. C. / Novak, K. S. | NTRS | 2002


    Mars Exploration Rovers

    San Martin, Alejandro Miguel | NTRS | 2005


    Mars Exploration Rovers

    Eelkema, Emily | NTRS | 2004