Mars Exploration Rover Project

BACKGROUND - PATHFINDER MODEL

SELECTION PROCESS TWO PARALLEL ACTIVITIES

1. Define set of landing site constraints based on prelim. S/C design elevation, lat., ellipse size, rock abundance & height, slope, dust
2. Refine capabilities of spacecraft through testing, modeling & design
3. Provide mars environmental information to engineers
4. Map these constraints into potential landing sites on Mars. Use available remote sensing data and models

MUST BE DEFENSIBLE

• Must survive multiple withering reviews, must be thorough
• Do everything possible to understand surface properties
• Factor science objectives of mission into selection of safe sites

SHOULD BE DONE IN AN OPEN ENVIRONMENT

• Multiple opportunities for community involvement
• Open workshops - provide science community input to landing site
• Also educational opportunities & public outreach