Micro-Imager Dust Cover, Micro-Imager Contact Sensor, and Mössbauer Spectrometer Contact Sensor mechanisms for the Mars Exploration Rovers
Abstract
This paper discusses three mechanisms developed for the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) program which will land two rovers on the Martian surface in January 2004: the Microscopic-Imager Dust Cover, the Microscopic-Imager Contact Sensor and the Mössbauer Spectrometer Contact Sensor. These mechanisms enhance the capabilities of the rovers and their in situ science instruments, specifically the Microscopic-Imager (MI) and Mössbauer Spectrometer (MB), located on the end of the rover's robotic arm. The MI Dust Cover mechanism covers the lens of the Microscopic-Imager protecting it from dust and incidental contact while the instrument is not in use. The cover opens when the MI is positioned over a target and closes after a series of images has been taken. The MI and MB contact sensors, as their name implies, sense contact with the Martian surface, indicating that the instrument is positioned at the proper distance from the target and can begin taking measurements.
- Publication:
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10th European Space Mechanisms and Tribology Symposium
- Pub Date:
- September 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003ESASP.524...73D
- Keywords:
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- Instruments;
- Mars Exploration Rovers