Results of the first astronaut-rover (ASRO) interaction field experiment and recommendations for future planetary surface exploration

The ASRO project proposes to: (1) identify the operational domains where the EVA astronauts and rovers are complementary and can interact; (2) identify preliminary requirements and recommendations for advanced spacesuits and rovers that facilitate their cooperative and complementary interaction; (3) develop operational procedures and mission scenarios for the astronaut-rover team in the identified domains; (4) test these procedures during field experiments by simulating the exploration of a planetary landing site; (5) train test subject, simulated Earth-based science team, and automated vehicle operator in mission configuration; (6) test the feasibility and utility of adding some automation to the interaction between the astronaut and the rover by providing a stereo vision that tracks the position of the astronaut relative to the rover, and (7) evaluate and understand socio-technical aspects of the astronaut-rover interaction experiment in order to guide future technology designs. Results of the Silver Lake field experiment are discussed.