Computer software developed in California’s Silicon Valley may prove indispensable to future astronauts tasked with the monumental job of exploring an entire planet. Embedded in a backpack-worn laptop, the smart software responds to voice commands, links astronauts to mission control and their planet-side habitat. It even communicates with any robotic assistants that might be roving nearby. The complete system — autonomous rover included — has already passed an initial shakedown test and is headed out to the Utah desert for another run under research conditions.