Contents 1.1 Introduction
Sun-synchronous exploration is an energy-cognizant strategy for planetary exploration [10] [18] that utilizes knowledge of terrain, time and rover characteristics to maximize solar energy gathered while performing a mission. This concept will enable exploration missions by solar powered rovers that could last months or years. Hyperion (figure 1); a solar powered robot, was developed to demonstrate this idea on Earth. In July 2001 Hyperion was deployed to Devon Island, above the Arctic Circle, to perform experiments in sun-synchrony. The culmination of these experiments was a 24-hour sun-synchronous route, which Hyperion planned and executed [19]. This paper describes the obstacle detection and navigation systems utilized on Hyperion and presents relevant results of the field experiments. Hyperion at the field experiment site.
