A report describes the PLuto (programmable logic) Mars Technology Rover, a mid-sized FIDO (field integrated design and operations) class rover with six fully drivable and steerable cleated wheels, a rocker-bogey suspension, a pan-tilt mast with panorama and navigation stereo camera pairs, forward and rear stereo hazcam pairs, internal avionics with motor drivers and CPU, and a 5-degrees-of-freedom robotic arm.
The technology rover was integrated with an arm-mounted percussive coring tool, microimager, and sample handling encapsulation containerization subsystem (SHEC). The turret of the arm contains a percussive coring drill and microimager. The SHEC sample caching system mounted to the rover body contains coring bits, sample tubes, and sample plugs.
The coring activities performed in the field provide valuable data on drilling conditions for NASA tasks developing and studying coring technology. Caching of samples using the SHEC system provide insight to NASA tasks investigating techniques to store core samples in the future.
This work was done by Paulo J. Younse, Matthew A. Dicicco, and Albert R. Morgan of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NPO-47917
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Mars Technology Rover with Arm-Mounted Percussive Coring Tool, Microimager, and Sample-Handling Encapsulation Containerization Subsystem
(reference NPO-47917) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package for the Mars Technology Rover, specifically focusing on its arm-mounted percussive coring tool, microimager, and sample-handling encapsulation subsystem. It is part of NASA's efforts to advance aerospace technology and make the results of these developments available for broader scientific, technological, and commercial applications.
The rover system, referred to as the AMASE FY2010 Pluto Rover System, was designed to collect and cache core samples, which is crucial for astrobiology experimentation. The field test for this rover took place in Mono Lake, California, in October 2010, showcasing its capabilities in a real-world environment. The rover's design incorporates the JPL RTD IMSAH sample acquisition and caching SHEC subsystem, which plays a vital role in the collection and preservation of samples for analysis.
The document emphasizes the importance of innovative technology in space exploration, particularly in the context of Mars missions. It outlines the technical specifications and functionalities of the rover, highlighting how these advancements can contribute to our understanding of extraterrestrial environments and the potential for life beyond Earth.
Additionally, the document serves as a resource for researchers and developers interested in aerospace technologies, providing contact information for further inquiries and assistance through NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program. It also includes a notice regarding the liability and rights associated with the use of the information contained within the document, clarifying that the U.S. Government does not assume liability for its use.
Overall, this Technical Support Package encapsulates the collaborative efforts of NASA and its partners in pushing the boundaries of space exploration technology, aiming to enhance our capabilities in sample collection and analysis on other planetary bodies. The insights gained from such missions are expected to have significant implications for future explorations and our understanding of the universe.
