Rocky 7 - Mojave Desert Field Experiments December 1996

During December 16 to 19, 1996, the Rocky 7 prototype Mars rover was field tested in the Mojave Desert. The test took place at Lavic Lake Playa and also covered some of the Pisgah Volcanic Field (see Site Selection). During the December field experiment, both engineering and science systems were tested, with special emphasis on validating Rocky 7's traverse, navigation, and imaging systems.

Science Plan

Full description of December 1996 field experiment.

Experimenter's Notebook for Day 1 (Tuesday 12/17/96)

65 meter traverse; digging test; self inspection

Experimenter's Notebook for Day 2 (Wednesday 12/18/96)

250 meter traverse; close-up imager test

Experimenter's Notebook for Day 3 (Thursday 12/19/96)

Bush avoidance test

Plan view of Rocky 7 traverses

Overhead diagram of site locations and Rocky 7 traverses.

Timeline for all three days

Download a 425 KB Microsoft Excel file containing a very detailed timeline of events for all three days of the experiment.