---
title: "NASA engineers to build a rover that is able to make decisions on its own for next mission to Mars"
description: "The next mission to Mars could carry a smarter rover that is able to make better decisions absent instructions from Earth."
date: "2015-06-04"
modified: "2015-08-13"
authors:
  - name: "Andrew Johnson"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/andrewjohnson"
url: "https://futurism.com/nasa-engineers-to-build-a-rover-that-is-able-to-make-decisions-on-its-own-for-next-mission-to-mars"
categories:
  - "Astronomy"
  - "Mars"
  - "NASA"
  - "Space"
tags:
  - "space"
---

# NASA engineers to build a rover that is able to make decisions on its own for next mission to Mars

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Mars_Rover.jpg>)

- The most common operation methods for a rover takes several command cycles—about once every six hours on Mars, depending on the location—to get the rover set up. By reducing that time, the rover can accomplish more science.
- While TextureCam will allow the rover or satellite to better prioritize the data it sends to Earth, Thompson stressed that it isn't meant to take the place of human scientists.
- With plans in the works for a future Europa mission, a more automated rover could prove useful when it comes time to explore the surface of the icy moon of Jupiter.