A Mars rover is a highly autonomous, robotic vehicle deployed to the Martian surface to conduct scientific experiments, capture imagery, and analyze soil and rock samples. These vehicles are built to withstand extreme cold, high radiation, and fine dust while navigating rugged terrain. Operating with significant communication delays from Earth, they rely on onboard artificial intelligence to drive safely between waypoints.
The new Mars rover is equipped with a nuclear radioisotope generator to survive the harsh winter dust storms without relying on solar panels.
Related terms
Space probe
An uncrewed robotic spacecraft sent to explore deep space.
Spacecraft
Any vehicle designed to fly and operate in outer space.
MAHLI
The Mars Hand Lens Imager is a high-resolution camera mounted on the robotic arm of the Curiosity rover.
MastCam
A multispectral imaging system mounted on the elevated structure of a planetary rover.