The Rover Sequencing and Visualization Program (RSVP) has been updated. RSVP was reported in "Rover Sequencing and Visualization Program" (NPO-30845), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 29, No. 4 (April 2005), page 38. To recapitulate: The Rover Sequencing and Visualization Program (RSVP) is the software tool to be used in the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission for planning rover operations and generating command sequences for accomplishing those operations.
RSVP combines three-dimensional (3D) visualization for immersive exploration of the operations area, stereoscopic image display for high-resolution examination of the downlinked imagery, and a sophisticated command-sequence editing tool for analysis and completion of the sequences. RSVP is linked with actual flight code modules for operations rehearsal to provide feedback on the expected behavior of the rover prior to committing to a particular sequence. Playback tools allow for review of both rehearsed rover behavior and downlinked results of actual rover operations. These can be displayed simultaneously for comparison of rehearsed and actual activities for verification. The primary inputs to RSVP are downlink data prod ucts from the Operations Storage Server (OSS) and activity plans generated by the science team. The activity plans are high-level goals for the next day's activities. The downlink data products include imagery, terrain models, and telemetered engineering data on rover activities and state. The Rover Sequence Editor (RoSE) component of RSVP performs activity expansion to command sequences, command creation and editing with setting of command parameters, and viewing and management of rover resources. The HyperDrive component of RSVP performs 2D and 3D visualization of the rover's environment, graphical and animated review of rover predicted and telemetered state, and creation and editing of command sequences related to mobility and Instrument Deployment Device (robotic arm) operations. Additionally, RoSE and Hyper- Drive together evaluate command sequences for potential violations of flight and safety rules. The products of RSVP include command sequences for uplink that are stored in the Distributed Object Manager (DOM) and predicted rover state histories stored in the OSS for comparison and validation of downlinked telemetry. The majority of components comprising RSVP utilize the MER command and activity dictionaries to automatically customize the system for MER activities. Thus, RSVP, being highly data driven, may be tailored to other missions with minimal effort. In addition, RSVP uses a distributed, message passing architecture to allow multitasking and collaborative visualization and sequence development by scattered team members.
This tool was developed by Brian Cooper, Frank Hartman, Scott Maxwell, Jeng Yen, John Wright, and Carlos Balacuit of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Software category.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Karina Edmonds of the California Institute of Technology at (818) 393-2827. Refer to NPO-40353.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Update on Rover Sequencing and Visualization Program
(reference NPO-40353) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) that provides an update on the Rover Sequencing and Visualization Program (RSVP), which is integral to the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) mission. RSVP is designed to enhance the mission's capabilities by facilitating the visualization of downlink data and the generation of command sequences for the rovers.
RSVP operates by reading and writing downlink data products from the Operations Storage Server (OSS) and generating uplink data products for further processing. The primary users of RSVP are the Integrated Sequencing Team (IST), who utilize the program to conduct traversability and articulation analyses. They input activity plans from the Science and Mission Planning teams to create command sequences that are sent to the rovers on a daily basis, referred to as "every Sol."
The RSVP system consists of two main components: the Rover Sequence Editor (RoSE) and Hyperdrive. RoSE is responsible for understanding the MER activity and command dictionaries, converting high-level commands into detailed command sequences. It allows operators to manage command-level resources such as time, power, and temperature through a real-time connection to SEQGEN. Hyperdrive, on the other hand, provides high-fidelity 3D and stereo visualizations of the Martian surface, enabling operators to explore the environment around the rover, create motion-related commands, and visualize the simulated outcomes of those commands.
The document also includes contact information for further inquiries, directing readers to the Innovative Technology Assets Management at JPL and the NASA Scientific and Technical Information (STI) Program Office. It emphasizes that the information provided is part of NASA's Commercial Technology Program, aimed at disseminating aerospace-related developments with broader technological, scientific, or commercial applications.
Overall, the RSVP program represents a significant advancement in the operational capabilities of the MER mission, enhancing the ability to plan and execute rover activities on Mars through sophisticated data management and visualization tools. The document serves as a resource for understanding the technical aspects and operational framework of RSVP, highlighting its importance in the ongoing exploration of Mars.
