NASA Ames Research Center

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Life on Earth

Humans in Space

Exploring the Universe

Introduction

Our Solar System

	Overview
	Cassini-Huygens
	Collaborative Computing
	Evolvable Systems
	K-9 Rover
	MAPGEN
	Mars Exploration Rovers
	Personal Exploration Rovers
	Remembering the Columbia
	Working A Mars Sol
	Visualizing Scientific Intent
	The Computer Can Check It

The Universe

About NASA Ames
Research Center

The goal of the K9 project is to integrate and demonstrate new robotic technologies that will enable NASA to meet the science goals of future Mars missions. NASA Ames scientists accomplish this by developing a robust, mission-relevant rover platform, integrating component autonomy technologies, and testing these in field experiments in Mars-analog terrains and in the Ames outdoor test area, called the Marscape.

K-9 Rover The K9 rover is a 6-wheeled chassis with a passive suspension system that allows the rover to conform to the shape of the ground. K9 is outfitted with electronics and instruments appropriate for supporting research relevant to remote science exploration and autonomous operations. K9’s chassis and solar panels were built at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. Its avionics, instrumentation, and autonomy software were developed at Ames Research Center (ARC). The on-board rover software architecture is a joint effort between JPL and ARC.