Robotics

Rover with arm stowed away for driving.

The VSSEC Mars Rover is equipped with:

  • Robotic Arm (carrying sensors for science instruments on its end)

  • Scoop (to collect soil samples for analysis by the internal Mass Spectrometer and Wet Chemistry Lab)

  • and Cameras (for deployment of instruments and navigation)

The Robotics Engineer in Mission Control is responsible for the safe deployment of the Robotic Arm, Scientific Instruments, and the Mast Camera.


The Rover must be stopped for deployment of the Robotic Arm, and the Arm must be stowed away before driving.