Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Zimmerman, W.
• Blake, D.
• Harris, W.
• Morookian, J. M.
• Randall, D.
• Reder, L. J.
• Sarrazin, P.

Titel

MSL Chemistry and Mineralogy X-ray Diffraction X-ray Fluorescence (CheMin) Instrument

Ist Teil von

• 2013 IEEE Aerospace Conference, 2013, p.1-15

Ort / Verlag

IEEE

Erscheinungsjahr

2013

Link zum Volltext

• IEEE_Xplore

Quelle

IEEE Electronic Library (IEL)

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• This paper provides an overview of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Chemistry and Mineralogy X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) (CheMin) Instrument, an element of the landed Curiosity rover payload, which landed on Mars in August of 2012. The scientific goal of the MSL mission is to explore and quantitatively assess regions in Gale Crater as a potential habitat for life - past or present. The CheMin instrument will receive Martian rock and soil samples from the MSL Sample Acquisition/Sample Processing and Handling (SA/SPaH) system, and process it utilizing X-Ray spectroscopy methods to determine mineral composition. The Chemin instrument will analyze Martian soil and rocks to enable scientists to investigate geophysical processes occurring on Mars. The CheMin science objectives and proposed surface operations are described along with the CheMin hardware with an emphasis on the system engineering challenges associated with developing such a complex instrument.