Curiosity launched the first stage of terraforming
In order to turn Mars into an earth-like planet, you first have to get rid of the Martian dust. The first stage of surface cleaning was successfully implemented by the rover MSL Curiosity.
The main task that Curiosity now performs is to find a convenient and safe test site for the drill.
Feature of the device of a drill is such that any liquids are extremely contraindicated to it. Although the surface humidity of Mars tends to zero, the soil may contain minerals that will turn into dirt when heated and the pressure increases.
If the particles stick to the internal surfaces of the drill, then it, as a scientific device, will be lost. Dirt, even if it does not block the channels, will distort all test results, and their accuracy will be significantly reduced. Therefore, the rover operators behave like sappers in a minefield - they use all means of remote research.
A preliminary analysis of the Curiosity soil can be performed using a ChemCam laser spectrometer and an APXS X-ray alpha ray spectrometer.
APXS is located on the manipulator, so at the same time, the sample is examined using the MAHLI camera, which never ceases to amaze with the quality of image detail.
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In addition, it is a map of heights, so that everyone can practice in the three-dimensional modeling of Martian stones. Such as this " Martian flower ".
©
For ChemCam, the Martian dust is easy. The laser simply evaporates it with several pulses, and then the main rock at depth is exposed to research.
The job of APXS is harder. Close contact with the test specimen is important to him. The device irradiates the surface with alpha particles and it starts to glow in the X-ray range. The radiation spectrum captures the spectrometer and allows you to know the composition of the surface. Dust has a significant effect on his readings. In order to get rid of it, the rover was equipped with a wire brush.
Previously, APXS investigated only areas that were not too dusty anyway, so Curiosity worked for 150 days without using a brush in action. But, as soon as he used it, it was fit to exclaim " Mars is not red! "
Without any shamanism with Photoshop, Curiosity showed that the color of the surface of Mars looks more like a concrete floor than a broken brick. Of course, we are talking about a particular rock in a particular area of the Gale crater. However, in the landing site, where the rocket jets blew away the dust, the color of the soil was also gray.
If this place, called Ekwir_1, is chosen for drilling, then the process will be a long one, and it will be possible to see how quickly this penny will drag on with dust. But if the plot does not fit, then the rover will quickly leave, and assess the degree of dust will not work. The bedrock that Curiosity now stands on is interesting to learn. But there is a high risk of stumbling upon a liquefying mineral. Since this area was most likely a water body for a long time, the soil may contain rocks that bound water at a chemical level. And no one will determine how stable they will be during drilling operations.
The fact that this is the bottom of the lake, there is less doubt. In the distance, the coastline is perfectly readable:
And in a cleaned circle, you can see frozen bubbles, arising billions / millions / thousands of years ago in liquid lake silt.
Download to the desktop the results of the grinding work can be here (1920x1200).
PS I will repeat the question: I found materials in English on the operating system and Curiosity software, but I cannot write about it myself. If someone wants to see and write about it - contact the PM.
The main task that Curiosity now performs is to find a convenient and safe test site for the drill.
Feature of the device of a drill is such that any liquids are extremely contraindicated to it. Although the surface humidity of Mars tends to zero, the soil may contain minerals that will turn into dirt when heated and the pressure increases.
If the particles stick to the internal surfaces of the drill, then it, as a scientific device, will be lost. Dirt, even if it does not block the channels, will distort all test results, and their accuracy will be significantly reduced. Therefore, the rover operators behave like sappers in a minefield - they use all means of remote research.
A preliminary analysis of the Curiosity soil can be performed using a ChemCam laser spectrometer and an APXS X-ray alpha ray spectrometer.
APXS is located on the manipulator, so at the same time, the sample is examined using the MAHLI camera, which never ceases to amaze with the quality of image detail.
')
In addition, it is a map of heights, so that everyone can practice in the three-dimensional modeling of Martian stones. Such as this " Martian flower ".
©
For ChemCam, the Martian dust is easy. The laser simply evaporates it with several pulses, and then the main rock at depth is exposed to research.
The job of APXS is harder. Close contact with the test specimen is important to him. The device irradiates the surface with alpha particles and it starts to glow in the X-ray range. The radiation spectrum captures the spectrometer and allows you to know the composition of the surface. Dust has a significant effect on his readings. In order to get rid of it, the rover was equipped with a wire brush.
Previously, APXS investigated only areas that were not too dusty anyway, so Curiosity worked for 150 days without using a brush in action. But, as soon as he used it, it was fit to exclaim " Mars is not red! "
Without any shamanism with Photoshop, Curiosity showed that the color of the surface of Mars looks more like a concrete floor than a broken brick. Of course, we are talking about a particular rock in a particular area of the Gale crater. However, in the landing site, where the rocket jets blew away the dust, the color of the soil was also gray.
If this place, called Ekwir_1, is chosen for drilling, then the process will be a long one, and it will be possible to see how quickly this penny will drag on with dust. But if the plot does not fit, then the rover will quickly leave, and assess the degree of dust will not work. The bedrock that Curiosity now stands on is interesting to learn. But there is a high risk of stumbling upon a liquefying mineral. Since this area was most likely a water body for a long time, the soil may contain rocks that bound water at a chemical level. And no one will determine how stable they will be during drilling operations.
The fact that this is the bottom of the lake, there is less doubt. In the distance, the coastline is perfectly readable:
And in a cleaned circle, you can see frozen bubbles, arising billions / millions / thousands of years ago in liquid lake silt.
Download to the desktop the results of the grinding work can be here (1920x1200).
PS I will repeat the question: I found materials in English on the operating system and Curiosity software, but I cannot write about it myself. If someone wants to see and write about it - contact the PM.
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/165109/
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