(Dec 1, 2011)

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) spacecraft that was successfully launched on November 26, 2011 will rely on an integrated planning tool developed in collaboration with NASA Ames Research Center and the Jet Propulsion Lab. MSLICE (Mars Science Laboratory InterfaCE) is used to visualize the data gathered from the red planet, and allows scientist to identify places of interest and then develop, model, and validate the rover's plan. Ames contribution to MSLICE focuses on the mission’s activity planning process, allowing mission personnel to securely contribute from their home institutions. The planning software ensures that mission scientists can work closely with rover and instrument engineers to create a plan that is both safe for the rover to perform and maximizes scientific research. The Human Systems Integration division (TH) and the Intelligent Systems division (TI) at NASA Ames Research Center collaborated to design and develop the planning and scheduling software for MSLICE.