Life in the AtacamaLife in the Atacama

Life in the Atacama 2004Science & Technology Workshop

July 14-16, 2004Carnegie Mellon University

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop 2 Carnegie Mellon

Limits of Life in the AtacamaLimits of Life in the Atacama

Robotic Investigation of Life in the Atacama Desert of Chile

Science Investigation• Seek life unambiguously• Understand habitat• Make relevant measurements

Technology Research• Over-the-horizon navigation• Efficient resource utilization• Autonomy with

self-awareness

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop 3 Carnegie Mellon

Detection of Sparse Microbes in Extreme EnvironmentsDetection of Sparse Microbes in Extreme Environments

Practical technology to enable the survey of large areas to yield evidence of life

• Explore the limits of microbe detection• Create fluorescent biomarkers for multispectral

detection of trace life• Develop biomarker correlation techniques for accuracy• Construct a fluorescence imaging instrument for

detecting sparse life in desert environments

Microscopic Fluorescence Intensity

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop 4 Carnegie Mellon

Science on the FlyScience on the Fly

Science autonomy during rover traverseResearch:Feature detection and segmentation (similar, dissimilar, and unique)Feature classification and evaluation (significance)Science-informed exploration

Focus on developing techniques and validating in ground-truthed rover experiments

Nominal TraverseScience on the Fly

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop 5 Carnegie Mellon

Atacama DesertAtacama Desert

Atacama Desert in northern Chile lies between the Pacific and the Andes

Driest desert on Earth

No measurable rain or snow in some regions but• Fog from the Pacific• Runoff from the Andes

Analogous to Mars

Arid, High UV, Soil Oxidants

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop 6 Carnegie Mellon

Interior DesertInterior Desert

Desert rises from Coastal Range (700m) to the Altiplano (4000m)Moisture blocked byPacific atmospheric pressure and the Andes

Most lifeless on Earth?Absolute desert evidenced by the absence of biogenic organic molecules?

Hubble

N

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop 7 Carnegie Mellon

Coastal RangeCoastal Range

Parallels the Pacific coast

Camanchacas (salt fogs) occasionally penetrate inland through mountain range

Desiccation-tolerant organisms detected in microhabitats

10 - 40km

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop 8 Carnegie Mellon

Scientific InvestigationScientific Investigation

Biodiversity and distribution of habitats in Atacama subregions are not yet understood

Where does life survive and where does it not?

What factors govern the distribution?

Coastal Range Interior Desert

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop 9 Carnegie Mellon

Workshop ObjectivesWorkshop Objectives

• Review the current state of our research

• Examine preparations for the field season

• Understand current capabilities

• Finalize intentions for the field investigation

• Identify any outstanding issues

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop 10 Carnegie Mellon

Workshop PhilosophyWorkshop Philosophy

Find problems now rather than later

Expect discussion (and some confusion)

Identify actions and priorities

Life in the Atacama 2004 Workshop 11 Carnegie Mellon

ScheduleSchedule

Wednesday, July 14 Thursday, July 15 Friday, July 16Newell-Simon 1305 Newell-Simon 1305/Eventscope Eventscope LabScience and Technology Rover and Instruments Operations Runthrough

8:30 Coffee Coffee Coffee8:45 Welcome & Overview Wettergreen9:009:159:309:4510:00 Demonstration10:1510:30 Break Break Break10:4511:0011:1511:3011:4512:0012:1512:3012:451:001:15 Science Methods &

ApproachCabrol

1:301:452:002:15 Geologic Ground

Truth2:302:45 Biologic Ground

Truth3:00 Adjourn3:15 Break3:303:454:004:154:30 Localization Deans, Villa

4:45 Navigation Jonak

5:005:155:30 Adjourn Adjourn

7:00 Dinner Dinner

Stubbs, Thomas

Remote Operations Discussion/ Feedback

Data Analysis Exercise: Rover Path Designation

Travel to demonstration site

Remote Operations Tools, Web Interface, & EP/O

Coppin, Wagner, Cuellar, …

Human Computer Studies

Science Investigation Previous Results & Current Goals

Cabrol

Technical Experiment Goals & Logistics

Wettergreen

Data Analysis Exercise: New Data

Remote Operations Tools Tutorial

Lunch

Cabrol

Coppin, Wagner, …

Remote Operations Methods & Plan

Data Analysis Exercise: Prior Data

Rover and Instrument Capabilities

Rover Concept of Operations

Lunch (NSH 1307) Lunch (NSH 1307)

UV/VIS Spectrometer: Principles, Operation & Interpretation

Moersch

Fluorescence Imaging: Principles, Operation & Interpretation

Waggoner, Weinstein, Pane, Heys, Calderòn

Wagner, Teza, Heys

Wettergreen Wagner, Pane, Heys, Calderòn

Stereo Panoramic Imaging

Science-on-the-Fly Thompson, Niekum, Smith

Automomy: Executive & Instruments

Grin, Chong

Minkley, Waggoner

Muscettola, Simmons

Mission Planning TompkinsWagner, Teza, Heys, Williams, Jonak, Villa

Rover Demonstration: Terrain Capability, Precision Motions, Instrument & Plow Deployment