Collaborative knowledge management supporting mars mission scientists

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the design and deployment of a collaborative software tool, designed for and presently in use on the Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) 2003 mission. Two central questions are addressed. Does collaborative content like that created on easels and whiteboards have persistent value? Can groups of people jointly manage collaboratively created content? Based on substantial quantitative and qualitative data collected during mission operations, it remains difficult to conclusively answer the first question while there is some positive support for the second question. The MER mission provides a uniquely rich data set on the use of collaborative tools.

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Index Terms

• Human-centered computing

  • Collaborative and social computing

    • Collaborative and social computing design and evaluation methods

    • Collaborative and social computing theory, concepts and paradigms

      • Computer supported cooperative work

• Social and professional topics

  • Professional topics

    • Computing and business

      • Computer supported cooperative work