We conducted a field test at a potential Mars analog site to provide insight into planning for future robotic missions such as Mars 2020, where science operations must facilitate efficient choice of biologically relevant sampling locations. We compared two data acquisition and decision-making protocols currently used by Mars Science Laboratory: (1) a linear approach, where sites are examined as they are encountered and (2) a walkabout approach, in which the field site is first examined with remote rover instruments to gain an understanding of regional context followed by deployment of time- and power-intensive contact and sampling instruments on a smaller subset of locations. The walkabout method was advantageous in terms of both the time required to execute and a greater confidence in results and interpretations, leading to enhanced ability to tailor follow-on observations to better address key science and sampling goals. This advantage is directly linked to the walkabout method's ability to provide broad geological context earlier in the science analysis process. For Mars 2020, and specifically for small regions to be explored (e.g., <1 km2), we recommend that the walkabout approach be considered where possible, to provide early context and time for the science team to develop a coherent suite of hypotheses and robust ways to test them.

中文翻译：

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使用流动站在较小的目标区域中选择生物相关样本时，线性或Walkabout协议是否更有效？

我们在潜在的火星模拟站点进行了现场测试，以洞悉未来的机器人任务（例如2020年火星）的计划，在此计划中，科学操作必须促进对生物学相关采样位置的有效选择。我们比较了火星科学实验室目前使用的两种数据采集和决策协议：（1）线性方法，在遇到现场时对其进行检查；（2）步行法，其中首先使用远程方法检查现场流动站仪器，以了解区域情况，然后在较小的位置子集上部署耗时和耗电的接触和采样仪器。就执行所需的时间以及对结果和解释的更大信心而言，步行漫游方法是有利的，从而增强了定制后续观察结果的能力，以更好地解决关键科学和采样目标。这种优势与漫游方法在科学分析过程中提早提供广泛地质背景的能力直接相关。对于2020年的火星，尤其是要探索的小区域（例如，小于1 km2），我们建议在可能的情况下考虑采用步行游览的方法，以便为科学团队提供早期的背景和时间，以建立一套连贯的假设和稳健的假设。测试它们的方法。