Traverse Planning with Temporal-Spatial Constraints

Abstract

We present an approach to planning rover traverses in a domain that includes temporal-spatial constraints. We are using the NASA Resource Prospector mission as a reference mission in our research. The objective of this mission is to explore permanently shadowed regions at a Lunar pole. Most of the time the rover is required to avoid being in shadow. This requirement depends on where the rover is located and when it is at that location. Such a temporal-spatial constraint makes traverse planning more challenging for both humans and machines. We present a mixed-initiative traverse planner which addresses this challenge. This traverse planner is part of the Exploration Ground Data Systems (xGDS), which we have enhanced with new visualization features, new analysis tools, and new automation for path planning, in order to be applicable to the Re-source Prospector mission. The key concept that is the basis of the analysis tools and that supports the automated path planning is reachability in this dynamic environment due to the temporal-spatial constraints