3.2.3 Technical Knowledge
sessment of the engineering abilities associated with the
3.2.4 Operational Knowledge
apability of performing activities related to the space
3.2.5 Experience Knowledge
be a type of knowledge, because there is a unique gain
owledge in the form of the data. There are two types of bits, passive bits by data obtained without interacting with the nvironment, such as taking a picture. Active bits involve interacting with the
are the physical samples that carry knowledge about an exploration excursion.
edge: implied discoveries and direct proof An implied discovery is knowledge that is gained by observation or
ploration has the ability to carry the greatest amount of ers could be the prime means of bringing back bits and for large amounts of systematic returns. In contrast,
experience and training and adds a high degree of flexibility
ation posses the capability of returning detailed tactile An exam
Opportunity Rover on Mars. Throughout its mission, it has returned knowledge by observation and interaction with the environment (bits), but it has sent back even more 3.3.1 Bits
Bits carry kn
and active bits. Passive bits are defined observed e
environment such as by taking a measurement and transmitting the measurement data back.
3.3.2 Atoms Atoms
These samples carry two forms of knowl discoveries.
measurement of a sample, which leads to an implicit discovery; for example, a weathered rock exhibiting the past existence of water by erosion patterns. A direct proof discovery is the knowledge carried by hard evidence of a phenomenon, for example, a Mars rock with a pocket of water carries proof of Martian water by direct observation of the specimen.
3.3.3 The Human Experience The human experience of ex knowledge. While robotic explor atoms, they are most effective
there are three human physiological traits that provide an optimal combination for returning knowledge:
1. The human brain. Capable of instantaneous programming, the human brain is a “qualitative supercomputer” (Schmitt, personal communication). It can react to field
2. Eyes. The human eyes have high mobility, dynamic range, and quick three-dimensional integration, especially in the 10 – 15 meter range (Schmitt, personal communication).
3. Hands. Perhaps the most underutilized human tool, but if their dexterity can be used to their full potential they can greatly increase the human explor ability. For example, hands
feedback, etc.
ple of the benefit of the human experience can be seen in the NASA questions about Mars. These questions could have been answered immediately by a human field geologist present on Mars, due to his/her unique ability to analyze the environment with his/her experience, physiological tools, and basic scientific instruments, such as a hammer (Schmitt, personal communication).
processing is defined as the ability to understand the value of exploration targets in a global resolution and also a high-resolution sense. Figure 13 shows three types of robotic explorers, penetrators, orbiters, and rovers. Penetrators are geologic instruments that are embedded in the ground and have no mobility. An example of a penetrator is the Deep Space 2 probes. Penetrators cannot move and only have spatial resolution of their immediate surrounding, and rely on their instruments to record data as it comes to them. They passively gather data and have limited range to interact with the environment and collect additional data. In addition, penetrators are not reprogrammable (yet), once they land, they execute their specified tasks. Therefore they are shown to have low time and spatial processing abilities. Orbiters have a large global resolution, however they are unable to achieve high resolution of specific targets (yet) or look at a target from multiple unique angles. An example of an orbiter’s limitation is that, it would have a difficult time looking inside a cavern. Rovers are shown with greater spatial processing ability because they are able to look at targets from multiple viewpoints and with a high resolution. They cannot achieve the global scale resolution of an orbiter, however with increased mobility and presence rovers can attempt to create a larger global picture with high resolution. Rovers are also shown with higher time processing ability because they can be flexible to their environment.
They can take a picture of their surroundings, and then be commanded to move to locations they seem the most interesting. In contrast, an orbiter can only explore targets that are in its orbit’s coverage region. Finally, the human field geologist equipped with a rover and tools such as a microscope has the highest amount of time processing ability due to his training, experience, and brain. Equipping the human explorer with high mobility (rovers) and microscopes, will give him the ability to have global resolution and high specific resolution of targets. Therefore, a human explorer is the optimal combination of time processing ability and spatial processing ability. This forms an argument for exploration by humans in place of robotic systems.
Human Field Geologist w/rover & microscope
Time
processing
ability Rovers
Orbiters
Penetrators
Spatial processing ability
Figure 13: Time and spatial synergy for robotic and human explorers
Figure 14 illustrates a summary of the knowledge carriers and how they are related by their degree of interaction with the environment, and the quantity of that specific knowledge carrier that mankind has accumulated. Passive bits are represented by pictures of planets and the galaxy and currently carry the most knowledge. In decreasing amounts of quantity are active bits represented by graphs of Mars Seismic activity from Voyager, followed by pictures of Mars rocks from the Opportunity rovers. A Moon rock represents sample return, which is solely from the Moon. Finally, the human experience has the highest degree of interaction with an exploration environment;
however, it is limited to the Apollo excursions. The yellow curve illustrates the utility of the knowledge carriers for our current state of exploration. If exploration is to be successful in returning larger amount of knowledge, the red curve illustrates possible outcomes of an extensible space architecture.
Figure 14: Carriers of knowledge