Robotic Rockhounds: What's on Board
By Tariq Malik, Staff Writer
posted: 07:00 am ET, 16 April 2003
Cameras
Each of the MER robots will carry nine cameras to fulfill their mission:
Panaramic Camera (Pancam) - The most advanced color imaging system ever sent to another planet, Pancam will use twin cameras mounted on a mast to survey the Martian terrain. The high-resolution system can rotate in a complete circle and can swing up to 180 degrees up or down. A collection of about 14 filters will allow observations across the light spectrum.
Microsopic Imager (MI) - Located at the end of the rover arm, MI is a one part microscope and one part CCD camera. It should provide close-up, black and white images of rock surfaces and interiors exposed by the rock abrasion tool.
Navcams and Hazcams - The MER robot carries four hazard cameras, two in front and two in the rear, beneath the rover deck. These cameras watch the ground for obstacles that may pose a danger to the MER. Two navigation cameras, to help engineers direct the MER, sit alongside the Pancam on the rover mast.
Spectrometers
The rovers will also use a trio of spectrometers to make observations across the light spectrum:
Miniature Thermal Emissions Spectrometer (Mini-TES) - Located near the Pancam atop the rover mast, this instrument will determine the mineralogy of rocks and soil from hundreds of meters away. Mini-Tes will help researchers identify targets for the rover to move toward.
Mössbauer Spectrometer (MB) - This sensor for this spectrometer is located on the robotic arm, and will allow researchers to study iron-bearing minerals and the magnetic properties of surface materials.
Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) - The APXS will determine the chemistry of objects studied by the rover arm by observing their alpha particle and x-ray emissions. Most observations will be taken at night, and can take up to 10 hours to take.
Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT)
A grinding tool at the end of each rover's arm will eat into specific rocks to expose interior stone untouched by the effects of weather on Mars. It can create a hole 2 inches wide (45 millimeters) and one-fifth of an inch (5 millimeters) deep. Once exposed, other tools on the rover arm can analyze the rock.
Magnet Arrays
The MER robots carry three sets of magnets each, one pair of magnets on the robotic arm and another pair on the vehicle's front end and a stronger single magnet on the rover deck. Each set varies in strength and should study magnetic minerals in Martian dust and the planet's geologic history.