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What are the scientific goals for the Mars Science Laboratory?

what kinds of technology to use for landing, what kind of instruments to use on the rover, how to power the rover and how to control the Mars Science Laboratory

correcting the packaging of the MSL mission components that has been the essential technology of all space missions

what kinds of technology to use for landing, what kind of instruments to use on the rover, how to power the rover and how to control the Mars Science Laboratory

completing the technology design process and constructing an MSL prototype that would successfully land on Mars

to determine if Mars could have ever supported life, study the climate and geology, gain knowledge for future manned mission to Mars

1 answer

The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, which includes the Curiosity rover, has several scientific goals and employs advanced technologies to achieve them. Here’s a summary:

Scientific Goals:

  1. Determine Habitability: Assess whether Mars ever had the environmental conditions to support microbial life.
  2. Study Geology and Climate: Investigate the geology of Mars and understand its climate and atmospheric history.
  3. Search for Organic Compounds: Identify and analyze organic molecules that might indicate past life.
  4. Prepare for Future Manned Missions: Gather information that will help inform the technologies and procedures needed for future human exploration of Mars.

Technology for Landing:

  • Sky Crane System: The MSL used a unique landing system involving a sky crane to lower the rover gently to the surface, minimizing the risk of landing damage.
  • Curvature and Atmosphere Entry: MSL utilized a combination of a heat shield to protect the spacecraft during atmospheric entry and parachutes to slow down the descent before the sky crane maneuver took over.

Instruments on the Rover:

  • ChemCam: Uses a laser to analyze the composition of rocks and soil materials.
  • Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS): Measures weather data such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed.
  • Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM): Analyzes samples of Martian soil and rocks to search for organic compounds and other chemical signatures.
  • Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS): Determines the elemental composition of the Martian surface.

Powering the Rover:

  • Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG): The Curiosity rover is powered by an RTG, which converts heat released by the radioactive decay of plutonium-238 into electricity, allowing for a continuous and reliable power source.

Controlling the Mars Science Laboratory:

  • Autonomous Navigation: The rover is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities to traverse the Martian terrain safely and efficiently while minimizing the need for direct control from Earth.
  • Command Sequence Planning: Engineers and scientists on Earth plan sequences of commands and send them to the rover, which then executes them autonomously.

Technology Design Process:

  • A comprehensive technology design process was undertaken to ensure that all components of the MSL mission, from the landing system to the scientific instruments, were robust, tested, and capable of operating in the harsh Martian environment. Prototyping and extensive testing were critical steps in validating the technologies used in the mission.

Conclusion:

The MSL mission, with its innovative technologies for landing and scientific investigation, continues to provide valuable insights into Mars, advancing our understanding of the planet and its potential to have hosted life in the past. These advancements are also critical for preparing for future manned missions to Mars.