# Astrobiology Field Laboratory

> proposed and subsequently cancelled (unfunded) robotic rover to be sent to planet Mars

**Wikidata**: [Q223652](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223652)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrobiology_Field_Laboratory)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/astrobiology-field-laboratory

## Summary
The Astrobiology Field Laboratory was a proposed robotic rover designed to explore Mars, but it was subsequently cancelled and never funded. It falls under the broader classification of Mars rovers, which are space exploration vehicles built to traverse the Martian surface.

## Key Facts
- The Astrobiology Field Laboratory was classified as a Mars rover, a type of space exploration vehicle.
- It was proposed but never funded, resulting in its cancellation.
- The entity has a Freebase ID of `/m/09h7x2`, referenced by Wikidata as of October 28, 2013.
- It has 14 Wikipedia language editions, including Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, English, Spanish, French, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish.
- The Wikidata description states it was a proposed robotic rover for Mars that was unfunded and cancelled.

## FAQs
**What was the Astrobiology Field Laboratory?**
The Astrobiology Field Laboratory was a proposed robotic rover intended for Mars exploration. It was part of the broader category of Mars rovers but was never funded and was subsequently cancelled.

**Why was the Astrobiology Field Laboratory cancelled?**
The project was cancelled due to lack of funding, meaning it was never launched or deployed to Mars.

**What type of vehicle was the Astrobiology Field Laboratory?**
It was classified as a Mars rover, a specialized space exploration vehicle designed to move across the Martian surface.

**How many Wikipedia language editions exist for the Astrobiology Field Laboratory?**
There are 14 Wikipedia language editions available, covering languages such as Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, English, Spanish, French, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish.

**What is the Freebase ID for the Astrobiology Field Laboratory?**
Its Freebase ID is `/m/09h7x2`, referenced by Wikidata as of October 28, 2013.

## Why It Matters
The Astrobiology Field Laboratory represents a missed opportunity in Mars exploration, as its cancellation meant no robotic rover was sent to study the planet. Mars rovers play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the Martian environment, and the cancellation of this project highlights the challenges of securing funding for space exploration initiatives. While the project did not proceed, its classification as a Mars rover underscores its potential contribution to astrobiological research if it had been realized.

## Notable For
- Being a proposed but unfunded Mars rover, it exemplifies the uncertainties and funding challenges in space exploration projects.
- Its classification as a Mars rover connects it to a well-established category of exploration vehicles, though it never reached operational status.
- The project’s cancellation serves as a case study in the importance of sustained funding for space missions.

## Body
### Classification and Design
The Astrobiology Field Laboratory was designed as a Mars rover, a type of space exploration vehicle specifically engineered to traverse the Martian surface. This classification aligns it with other Mars rovers, which have been instrumental in gathering data about the planet’s geology, climate, and potential for past or present life.

### Funding and Cancellation
The project was proposed but ultimately cancelled due to a lack of funding. This outcome means the rover was never launched or deployed to Mars, marking it as a notable example of a space mission that did not proceed despite initial planning.

### Digital Presence and References
The entity has a Freebase ID of `/m/09h7x2`, referenced by Wikidata as of October 28, 2013. This digital footprint indicates its presence in structured knowledge databases, though it remains a relatively obscure entry compared to more well-known Mars rovers.

### Wikipedia Coverage
The Astrobiology Field Laboratory has 14 Wikipedia language editions, reflecting its limited but widespread interest across different linguistic communities. The availability of articles in languages such as Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, English, Spanish, French, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Russian, and Swedish demonstrates its relevance to a diverse audience.

### Wikidata Description
The Wikidata description succinctly captures the project’s status: "proposed and subsequently cancelled (unfunded) robotic rover to be sent to planet Mars." This description highlights the project’s failed execution and its role as a Mars rover, even if it never materialized.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013