JASON VI Home Page
Hawaii Volcano Observatory -- Kilauea, Hawaii
The first day of lunar science simulations (and the fourth day overall of Marsokhod field tests) saw another six hours of remote control from NASA Ames Research Center. The science team under the direction of Dr. Jeff Taylor of the University of Hawaii had the rover traverse some of the same general terrain as the first day of Mars tests before heading out on to some much more difficult laval flows. Primary differences from the Mars simulations included live stereoscopic video, a pan-tilt unit and calibrated data from an on-board compass. The weather was perfect and operations were nominal after some final re-configuing of the various video feeds in the field.
Two more days of lunar testing near the Kilauea are scheduled before the site team begins preparations for deploying the rover down on the lava plateau near the ocean for the JASON Expedition that begins live broadcasts on 27 February. The science team has a particularly challenging route planned for tomorrow's (Friday) tests, with the intention of driving it down some steep slopes late in the afternoon. Because of the hectic pace since arrival, the decision has been made to delay start-up until 10 a.m. local time, which will give the science team some time to analyze today's results and the field team some needed rest.
The data from the on-board cameras and the Kodak 420 Digital Camera System is now showing up on the Ames, McDonnell Douglas and JASON home pages. Additionally, NASA TV is carrying the live video feed at varying times.
Garv
JASON Project homepage || Teachers' Guide || Students' Corner || Search
Gene Carl
Feldman
(gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov)
(301) 286-9428
Todd Carlo Viola,
JASON Foundation for Education
(todd@jason.org)