HERRO Mission to Mars Using Telerobotic Surface Exploration from Orbit

In a previous paper, we outlined a strategy for human exploration that combines elements of both human spaceflight and robotic exploration in a cost-effective strategy for exploration that could be adapted to multiple targets in the solar system [1, 2]. This Human Exploration using Real-time Robotic Operations (HERRO) [1] approach differs from the traditional view of human exploration, in that it does not land humans on planetary surfaces within large gravity wells. It instead envisions piloted spacecraft sent on missions that orbit, rather than land on, planetary targets. The crew then explores the surface via teleoperation of robotic vehicles deployed on the surface.