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Digging in
maycm
post Apr 25 2006, 03:36 PM
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An interesting update at Newscientist.

Seems they are planning on using Spirit's RAT to dig down into the dirt, cm by cm.

I wonder how deep they can go? Maybe we'll find out if there is anything frozen/liquid just below the surface.

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Shaka
post Apr 25 2006, 11:02 PM
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http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/pre.../20060425a.html
Details on the 'dig'!
QUOTE
Spirit will use the brush on the rock abrasion tool to carefully sweep away soil, much the way an archaeologist uses a brush to uncover artifacts. At each level, Spirit will measure the mineral and chemical properties and assess the physical nature (such as grain size, texture, hardness) of the material, using the Athena science instruments on the robotic arm.

What rotation speed(s) does the brush use?
Apparently Spirit's wheels won't turn again for 4 months. sad.gif
Oh well, at least Oppy's going to be moving.


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sattrackpro
post Apr 26 2006, 01:14 AM
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QUOTE (Shaka @ Apr 25 2006, 04:02 PM) *
Apparently Spirit's wheels won't turn again for 4 months. sad.gif
Well, I'd be very surprised if they actually sit right where they are for the next four months - for several reasons. First, the slope nearby (dead ahead to rear of rover) allows for a better tilt toward the sun (current is 11 degrees, potential is for 15 to 18 degrees.) Second, there are so many 'targets' to get to - for 'science' - that I believe they will slowly get around to over the next few months. I’m expecting at least half a dozen moves to nearby targets.

The problems associated with moving are great - ability to turn is limited, and potential for getting 'stuck' is high, unless great care is taken. They'll have to wiggle around the dead wheel, and hence they have to pre-plan every move much more carefully than in the past. Every turn will dig up the soil around where it is made, and obviously, the big rocks in the area could become a problem in any turning sequence.

There is also the rise to the immediate west of the current location, that also offers a potential greater northern tilt - perhaps five to eight more degrees - and additional targets of interest nearby.

So somewhere in the following months, I fully expect to see a visit to that rise -which won’t entail much additional driving – but will give us new views, and many more fascinating pictures to contemplate.
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Posts in this topic
- maycm   Digging in   Apr 25 2006, 03:36 PM
- - djellison   Only difference between this and the trenching ( t...   Apr 25 2006, 04:13 PM
|- - Bob Shaw   QUOTE (djellison @ Apr 25 2006, 05:13 PM)...   Apr 25 2006, 08:07 PM
- - RNeuhaus   I realized that this kind of digging would cause m...   Apr 25 2006, 06:49 PM
|- - Bob Shaw   Rodolfo: Stirring the sand/dust should produce mu...   Apr 25 2006, 08:23 PM
- - Ant103   Dust may not cause problem. The high of solar pane...   Apr 25 2006, 07:11 PM
- - djellison   They've not said they're going to physical...   Apr 25 2006, 08:04 PM
- - RNeuhaus   I agree that it is more sensate to use the IDD as ...   Apr 25 2006, 08:34 PM
- - Shaka   http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/pre.../2006...   Apr 25 2006, 11:02 PM
|- - sattrackpro   QUOTE (Shaka @ Apr 25 2006, 04:02 PM) App...   Apr 26 2006, 01:14 AM
|- - Shaka   I would have expected the same sort of plan - to c...   Apr 26 2006, 01:40 AM
- - general   http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/pre.../2006...   Apr 26 2006, 06:45 AM
- - edstrick   I *PRESUME* they've been playing in the sand b...   Apr 26 2006, 07:02 AM
|- - dilo   Perhaps slightly OT, but in the newscientist artic...   Apr 26 2006, 08:08 AM
- - Vladimorka   Well, ignoring the dust buildup and battery rechar...   Apr 26 2006, 08:55 AM
|- - dilo   Thanks, Vladimorka... so we will have to wait fo a...   Apr 26 2006, 09:03 AM
|- - helvick   QUOTE (Vladimorka @ Apr 26 2006, 08:55 AM...   Apr 26 2006, 02:35 PM
- - edstrick   4 pics of the area directly in front of Spirit. R...   Apr 26 2006, 10:46 AM
- - Joffan   The thing I like most, regarding all this discussi...   Apr 26 2006, 10:38 PM
- - Jeff7   QUOTE So this is planning what to do in maybe 9 mo...   Apr 27 2006, 01:42 AM
- - Shaka   Like losing family. Once more into the breac...   Apr 27 2006, 02:02 AM
- - RNeuhaus   During the winter, Spirit will be almost hibernate...   Apr 27 2006, 02:31 AM


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