NEWS | April 21, 2008
Martian Eyes Are Watching
The next set of "eyes" to journey to Mars are already busy observing people and objects on Earth. Keen vision will be essential to keeping the Mars Science Laboratory rover, a vehicle the size of a small SUV, out of trouble amid the red planet's cliffs, sand, and boulders. Using near-sighted and far-sighted cameras identical to the wildly successful and long-lived hazard avoidance and navigation cameras on NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers, the Mars Science Laboratory rover will avoid obstacles and often find its own way.
Of course, no space explorer ever takes flight hardware for granted! Engineers conduct regular eye exams just to make sure the cameras are ready to use their digital eyesight and computer smarts to guide the rover, and naturally, to take pictures and send panoramic postcards back home.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
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