Scientific Instruments
The Mission's primary scientific objective is to search for and analyse rocks and soil that hold clues to past water activity on Mars. Scientists will use geological clues to the environmental conditions that existed when liquid water was present, and assess whether those environments were conducive to the evolution of life.
Scientific Instruments mounted on the Rover's deck include:
A Meteorological station
Instruments mounted on the end of the Robotic Arm include spectroscopes:
and a Microscopic Imager (MI)
The Scoop will collect soil samples from beneath the Rover, and deliver them to an internal Wet Chemistry Lab housed inside the Rover's body, and for analysis by a Mass Spectrometer.
Each instrument has different power requirements. Keeping the Rover 'warm' will take precedence over deployment of instruments.
Learn more about the roles in Mission Control: Astrobiologist, Chemist, and Geologist.