Work has started on image processing techniques for performing experiments using data available from the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity.  A significant amount of the rover power is expended on communications, i.e., receiving instructions and sending data back to Earth. Automatic detection of interesting features can be used to perform semi-autonomous experimentation. Automatically performed experiments will reduce the amount of transmitted instructions to the spacecraft. Energy saved using the more efficient communication scheme may then be allocated to other mission critical tasks such as prolonging the life of the spacecraft or further experimentation, data collection, and transmissions.