Practical Operational Readiness Gambits: Operations Training Simulations for the Curiosity Rover

Abstract

The Mars Science Laboratory team had been putting in effort to make a Training Venue to allow for parallel shadow tactical operations for trainees to actively work alongside the prime tactical operations personnel without affecting operations, since staffing constraints and shortened operations timelines were straining the tactical process in supporting operations trainees in the traditional way. The COVID- 19 Pandemic presented further challenges in continuing on-console training for MSL operations trainees. The MSL operations team switched to fully remote operations, thus hampering the direct mentorship a trainee would normally receive while on site at JPL. The Mars 2020 training team had developed a concept for rover operations training simulations based on Johnson Space Center s extensive simulations training program for astronauts and flight controllers. The MSL team borrowed this idea, and implemented these training simulations which are called Practical Operational Readiness Gambits (PORGs). The PORGs so far have focused on the Science Planner and Rover Planner roles, which are two crucial roles in tactical operations that engage in key interactions throughout a shift. PORGs are based on actual sol scenarios that have occurred on Mars and follow the tactical operations process and timeline as closely as possible. However, unlike an operations shift, PORGs can slow down or pause to allow for more mentoring time. PORGs can focus on particular skills to test the trainees on their understanding of a concept. PORGs increase in complexity with each scenario to ease the trainees into more typical tactical operations workloads. As more trainees join the MSL operations team, more roles are being incorporated into PORGs. There are plans to incorporate certified operations personnel into PORGs to practice anomaly response situations. PORGs have become an essential part of the MSL operations training program and will continue even after the return to on-site operations at JPL.