Mars Science Lab Cameras Options

[Guest_Sunspot_*]

Has anyone any idea what kind of imaging system is being proposed for the MSL? Would it be the same or simiilar to the MER's, or as improved as the MER pancams are to those that were used on Pathfinder?

With a nuclear power source for the rover, and hopefully the mars telecoms orbiter in place the data rate and data volume could be phenomenal

[jekbradbury]

One issue that just popped into my head (not sure if it's been mentioned before): MSL will survive for a long time, so there will probably be significant dust buildup on MastCam (and on the other cameras), just like with MER. Phoenix showed that a magnetic ring around a surface will prevent that surface from being covered with dust. Has any effort been put into such a system on MSL's camera lenses? Would it even be possible?

[mcaplinger]

...there will probably be significant dust buildup on MastCam (and on the other cameras), just like with MER.

I'm unaware of any quantitative analysis of how much dust buildup there has been on Pancam; maybe others know more. I had thought the dust buildup was mostly on the hazcams, which are much closer to the ground.

As for Mastcam, the current fixed-focal-length systems have the lenses set quite far back inside the sunshades (if you look at http://www.msss.com/msl/mastcam/index.html the front element is at about the front of the lens barrel, color-coded red), so the path for dust is quite long. MAHLI, of course, has a movable cover.

[djellison]

I had thought the dust buildup was mostly on the hazcams, which are much closer to the ground.

Spirit's cameras all remain in great health

Opportunity got a smattering in both Navcams and Pancam's. If you notice a lot of Pancam imaging with Opportunity is done with only one half, or 3/4s of the CCD, as one side got quite a smattering.

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/all...nity_p1671.html is an example of the technique.

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/all...CSP2629L4M1.JPG is a typical example of the obstruction


Doug

[mhoward]

Opportunity got a smattering in both Navcams and Pancam's.

The contamination happened during the dust storm, didn't it? So it's not exactly 'buildup' so much as a 'smattering' as you put it.

Regardless, the contamination of Opportunity's optics remains distressing - I'm sure to the science team as well as the sightseers.