Using Very Small Rovers to Explore the Surface of Primitive Bodies

Abstract

This slide presentation reviews the use of very small roving vehicles to assist in exploration of various primitive bodies in the Solar System. It reviews the lessons learned from the mobility of the rovers on Mars, and the importance of the what we learned from these rovers. It also examines the core payload for the what would be a new class of rovers, that include a camera, and spectrometer. It also briefly reviews the MUSES-C (i.e., Hyabusa) mission for which a nano-rover had been planned. A prototype of the rover is shown, along with some of the characteristics.