Earth-based rover field testing for exploration missions on mars

The NASA Mars exploration rovers mission (MER) involves two robotic vehicles used to explore the geology of two surface regions on Mars in 2004. Prior to its launch, earth-based field tests and operations campaigns were conducted in the deserts of southwestern USA to physically simulate the mission operations approach planned for MER. A prototype Mars rover called FIDO was used to conduct these field trials in complex geological settings with terrain analogous to the Martian surface at the MER landing sites. This paper provides a high-level overview of the last major field operations test conducted in 2002 leading up to the MER mission. Objectives, approach, general results, and lessons learned are discussed