A prototype for a robotic planetary exploration vehicle, demonstrates ability to go over rough terrain and pickup rock or soil samples with its manipulator arm. Rocky is radio-controlled and carries a video camera for real-time transmission. Rocky III is a 56-pound prototype for a much-lighter robotic rover that would be sent to the Moon or Mars in future NASA sample return missions. Rocky III was designed and built at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), in Pasadena, California.