Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!cat.cis.Brown.EDU!agate!ames!kronos.arc.nasa.gov!doctor
From: doctor@kronos.arc.nasa.gov (Terry Fong)
Subject: Dante II - Mt. Spurr Expedition Status (5-Aug-94, clarification)
Message-ID: <1994Aug6.043730.11194@ptolemy-ethernet.arc.nasa.gov>
Summary: status information on CMU/NASA volcano robot explorer
Keywords: Dante, teleoperations, volcano, Alaska
Sender: usenet@ptolemy-ethernet.arc.nasa.gov (usenet@ptolemy.arc.nasa.gov)
Nntp-Posting-Host: tardis.arc.nasa.gov
Organization: NASA Ames Intelligent Mechanisms Group
Date: Sat, 6 Aug 1994 04:37:30 GMT
Lines: 34

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a clarification of my last message which was titled "Dante II,
end of mission". Today's loss of ground support and subsequent fall
should not be construed as a failure or as the end of the Dante II
mission.

The stated goals for Dante II were to descend 600 feet into the active
crater of Mt. Spurr, to collect scientific exploration (video and gas
sampling), and to evaluate robotic exploration technology which may be
used in future planetary missions. As such, Dante II successfully
achieved all of its planned mission goals and the end of the mission
occured two days ago when Dante II reached the the large fumerole
field located at the crater floor.

Today's fall occured while the Dante II team was attempting to bring
the robot back to the rim as part of the "robot recovery
process". This process has never been considered to be part of the
Dante II mission, but rather as a follow on task. Whether or not Dante
II is recovered from its current location should not be considered a
mission failure.

I apologize for any confusion or misunderstanding my previous message
may have caused.

Terry Fong
NASA Ames Research Center


-- 
_______________________________________________________________________________
 "Every once in a while declare        Terry Fong <terry@ptolemy.arc.nasa.gov>
  peace. It confuses the hell out      NASA Ames, M/S 269-3, Moffett Field, CA
  of your enemies" -- Rule of Acq. #76      (415) 604-6063, (415) 604-6081 lab
