Image: S91 25383marslanding

Description: from [1] 11.5 mb version caption

S91-25383 (February 1991) --- (Artist's concept of possible exploration programs.) Unmanned spacecraft will precede the first human exploration missions to the surface of Mars to assess possible landing sites and conduct scientific and engineering measurements in the atmosphere and on the surface. Landing these robotic spacecraft on Mars is risky at best because of the rugged terrain. The spacecraft depicted in this picture has a vision system to view the possible landing sites as the spacecraft approaches the surface and the intelligence to select a landing site safe from hazards that would destroy the vehicle. The resolution of the vision system will increase as the vehicle approaches the surface as depicted in the picture. This technology can be used on both unmanned as well as the manned mission to guide the spacecraft safely to the surface. Artwork by Pat Rawlings, of SAIC.
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