Outline: This paper is a study into the astronaut-rover relationship. This study is taken from a less technical, human factors standpoint. The primary purpose of a rover on the surface is to assist the astronaut when he/she cannot do a task. With a rover, time consuming tasks can be accomplished quickly, thus allowing the astronaut to utilize its time effectively. A simple design is critical. The simplicity of the design limits rover breakdown and repair. The astronaut cannot be burdened with spending time fixing a rover. If a part is to be replaced, is must be a quick fix. There also must be an astronaut that is trained as the "rover expert." This astronaut must know the rover systems inside and out.

Applications: It is important to note that a rover is not intended to replace a crewmember, only augmenting the astronaut in his duties. Outlined below are several different configurations that a rover could possibly be used for.

• Rover as a Surveillance Instrument: In the Apollo missions, a significant portion of the time spent on the surface was of video documenting the astronaut's activity. It is proposed that a rover could perform this function. A camera could be mounted on the rover and follow the astronaut while documenting his/her progress. This surveillance, documented by the rover, could be used to ensure the proper scientific progress is being executed, and also checking the status of the astronauts while on an EVA. A rover with surveillance capabilities would allow other astronauts to use their time doing other activities other than documenting another astronaut's progress, and thereby allowing for more experiments to be conducted on the surface.
  
  
• The Rover May be Used as a Recon Scout: The rover could be used to scout out areas that the astronaut would possibly see as favorable to examine. These sites, as examined by the rover would be used to conduct geological or scientific objectives. The primary instrument on this rover is a video camera. A scout rover could explore areas that may of interest or even hazardous, without an astronaut conducting an EVA. The rover could be controlled by the astronaut from the Surface Module by remote access. This would save time and resources that would have been spent with an EVA on the surface.
  
  
• The Rover as a Scientific Instrument / Assistant: The rover could collect certain data, with onboard instruments, at sites that the astronaut found favorable for scientific investigation. The astronaut would analyze sites that he had previously targeted with the rover, as outlined by scenario 1. For more advanced techniques such as sample collecting and testing, the astronaut would do it himself. Rovers with the capabilities of Spirit and Opportunity are not necessary with astronauts on the surface. The astronauts could identify optimal samples quicker than a rover, and would be able to collect the samples much easier than a rover. Therefore the rover as a scientific instrument would be optimal only as an assisting tool and utilized in cases where data cannot be analyzed by astronaut observation. A typical instrument in this case is one that can identify the elemental / mineral composition of a sample.

Mobility: It is easily seen that rovers can be configured to suit several applications. But the important thing to remember is keeping the design simple in order to achieve the tasks. A primary concern is the hindrance that a rover may place on the mobility of the astronaut. Therefore, the rover must be able to be placed on a vehicle that the astronaut has with him, or be small enough to be carried if it breaks down.

Capabilities: It is believed that a certain level of technological capabilities must be established in order for the rover to be useful as a tool. The rover should at least be semi-autonomous so that the astronaut does not have to "drive" the rover. It should be able to follow the astronaut and traverse rough terrain without direction. Otherwise, a controller would be necessary. This duty would either fall on the shoulders of the astronaut or a crewmember in the ground module. Having a controller would negate the purpose of having a rover as an assisting tool.