In a little over a Martian year (687 days), we will be sending robots back into space as part of NASA’s Mars 2020 Rover program, which is expected to launch in July or August of that (Earth) year. And this time, the pathfinding robot will be equipped with some of the latest technology, as well as years of added experience in the fields of artificial intelligence and autonomous drone research.
This new Rover will even come equipped with its own drone in the form of a helicopter that it will launch, a test to see if future robotic explorers could make use of a little flying backup.
Get the entire Mars Mission briefing, only on NextGov.