Mars Sample Return Simulation - Illustration

2016-10-28 - From October 31 to November 18, 2016, the Canadian Space Agency is leading a Mars sample return simulation in the Utah desert in order to train tomorrow's planetary space explorers. Students from five Canadian universities will develop a science plan to identify and characterize rocks that may contain signs of life. (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)

The infographic explains how operating a rover from a distance can be quite a challenge. It provides a look at the daily sequence of operations involved in the Mars sample return simulation mission.

Science plan
Drafted by the science team, it sets out the tasks to be done by the rover. Every morning, the rover operations team reviews the science plan and confirms the daily operations.

Command execution
The rover operations team sends command sequences to the Mars Exploration Science Rover (abbreviated as MESR) through a satellite communication link. The MESR executes them, and the team monitors the systems.

Ongoing telemetry results
Throughout the day, telemetry data collected by the different tools on the rover are transmitted to the rover operations team.

Daily operations report
Once the operations have been completed, this report is sent to the science team. Based on the information received, the team assesses the results and develops the plan for the following day.

The infographic contains three photos connected by arrows showing the daily sequence of operations. The first photo is of a rover on the field site in the Utah desert, in the United States. The second shows the science team in a room at Western University in London, Ontario. The third photo shows the rover operations team in a room at the Canadian Space Agency in Saint-Hubert, Quebec.