An automaton rover is a robotic vehicle designed to operate in extreme environments, such as the polar regions or Mars. These rovers are typically equipped with scientific instruments and cameras to collect data and perform reconnaissance missions. Automaton rovers have been used in various space exploration programs, including the Soviet Union’s Lunokhod program, NASA’s Mars Pathfinder mission, and the European Space Agency’s ExoMars program.
The first automaton rover was the Lunokhod 1, which was deployed on the Moon by the Soviet Union in 1970. The Lunokhod 1 was followed by the Lunokhod 2 in 1973. Both vehicles were designed to operate for up to three months on battery power, and they were equipped with television cameras, spectrometers, and X-ray telescopes. The Lunokhod 2 also had a soil sampling device that could collect up to 300 grams of material.
The Soviet Union’s success with automaton rovers inspired NASA to develop its own version for use in future planetary exploration missions. The Mars Pathfinder mission (1996-1997) featured an automated rover called Sojourner that traveled across the Martian surface collecting data about the planet’s geology and atmosphere. Sojourner was approximately one meter long and weighed 10 kilograms. It was equipped with six wheels, a camera, and several scientific instruments.
In 2003, NASA’s Spirit rover became stuck in a sand trap on Mars; however, it continued to function for six years before finally succumbing to dust buildup on its solar panels. In 2009, another of NASA’s automaton rovers named Opportunity made headlines when it discovered evidence of ancient water flows on Mars. As of 2019, Opportunity is still operational despite being plagued by mechanical issues; it holds the record for longest off-Earth drive by any wheeled vehicle (45 kilometers).
The most recent examples of automaton rovers are those deployed as part of the European Space Agency’s ExoMars program (2016-present). The first phase of this program saw two rovers – Schiaparelli EDM lander and Trace Gas Orbiter – being launched to Mars; however, only TGO entered orbit successfully while Schiaparelli crash-landed due to an error during atmospheric entry descent & landing sequence . The second phase will deploy two more advanced rovers – Rosalind Franklin Rover and Kazachok Lander – sometime in 2021 . These vehicles will be larger than their predecessors (approximately 3 meters long) and will be outfitted with a suite of cutting-edge scientific instruments , including a ground-penetrating radar , laser spectrometer ,and environmental sensors .