Mars Science Laboratory and the Curiosity Rover

Mars Science Laboratory and the Curiosity Rover The new NASA roving vehicle will primarily search for organic substances and will also assess Mars' ability to sustain life Inside the Mars roving vehicle: Instrument assembly for remote sensing Instrument assembly for remote sensing of soil and rock System for X-ray of soil and rock diffraction (mineral structure analysis) and X-ray fluorescence (elemental Two mast-mounted video cameras compositional analysis) Device for detecting The pulse emitter and neutron detector for locating water and hydrated minerals was developed organic substances at the Russian Academy of Sciences Space Research Institute The Rocker Bogie suspension makes it possible to effectively bypass obstacles Meteorological sensor Manipulator arm Alpha particle X-ray spectrometer for determining the elemental composition of soil and rock Video camera for filming Mars" surface during landing Color image camera on manipulator arm The mission's main objectives General specifications Mars roving vehicles' landing sites 1 Assessing the biological potential of Mars and its ability to sustain microorganisms Searching for traces of water 3 Studying Mars' geology and mineralogy Measuring radiation levels on the planet's surface Weight, including scientific payload 899 kilograms, 75 kg (Ten instruments) SOJOURNER, 1997 Radio isotope thermoelectric generator Power source CURIOSITY, 2011 Launch November 26, 2011 Landing on Mars August 2012 Duration of the About 23 Earth main mission months OPPORTUNITY, 2004 SPIRIT, 2004 Comparison of planetary roving vehicles Name LUNOKHOD-1 LUNOKHOD-2 SOJOURNER SPIRIT OPPORTUNITY CURIOSITY 1970 1973 1997 2004 2004 2011 Year of launch Duration of operation. Earth days 2850 301 114 85 2269 686** Lunar roving vehicles 1,9 M Mars roving vehicles Size comparison Distance 10,5 37 0,1 7,7 >20 19** travelled, kilometers • - Mission continues ** - Estimated parameters PMAHOBOCTW © 2011 wwW.RIA.RU