Virtual Sojourner
Student Activity #1: Driving Blind

Team Description
Mapping

Responsibility: to create a scale map from the panorama and plot the rover's course to the selected rock.

Specialty: mathematics, spatial skills

Limitations: not being able to visit the mission site (where the rover will perform its mission).

Procedure:

• Learn the responsibilities of the other teams.
  
• Work with the Camera team to determine the scale relationship of the camera.
  
• Create a scale map of a "samplerock field" constructed by the Camera team. Use the video tape they will give you.
  
• Create a scale map of the mission site as if the site were viewed from above. Include the placement of all objects that would affect the rover's movement or could be the mission objective (which rock to visit).
  
• Make a full-scale model of the "landing site" using your scale map. Enlist the help of the Navigation and Camera teams.
  
• Submit a (short) status report to the Publications team during the project.
  
• Consult with Mission Operations regarding your progress. Present your map during the class discussion when the mission objective (which rock to visit) is chosen.
  
• Work with the Navigation team to plot the rover's expected path during the mission.
  
• Plot rover actual positions during the mission. Work with the Navigation team to devise new expected paths as needed.
  
• Report your observations to the Publications team at the conclusion of the mission. Outline the procedure you used to map the site, the difficulties in plotting the rover's course, whether you think the mission was successful, how you contributed to the mission, and how your work related to the science experiment. Tell what you thought the experiment was, whether it was deployed properly, if you think the data is reliable, and if you think the Science team's conclusion is justified.
  
• Prepare a poster of your report to discuss and present to your classmates.

Hints:

• Keep it simple--connect to real-world objects as much as possible.
  
• Make your map as large as possible.
  
• Use circular graph paper (or make your own) for your maps then apply what you learned to the Lander site map. The center of the circles is the camera's location.