[X] My Assistant

[Guest_Zvezdichko_*]

Hello,

According to the publication here:
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/08053...ion-update.html


The glitch seems to be a short circuit in a filament in a part of the instrument that ionizes the vapors before they are sent to the detector...

Does that mean that it's directly related to the DSC oven?

[Harder]

This first sample is "topsoil" where the 1 mm mesh screen can be expected to pass thru the finer material - or perhaps not, as we now seem to find out.

But to expect that ice-type matl scraped from deeper trenches will pass thru such a fine mesh screen seems completely impossible. I´m really flabbergasted to learn about the existence of this fine mesh screen today. Surely the design team has thought through the scenario of delivering ice and created a couple of bins without a screen? Take the test by getting a scoop of sorbet ice from your deepfreezer - the only way to get scraps of sorbet ice through any screen, no matter the mesh size, is by melting! But on Mars the sublimation will happen first.

Too pessimistric a view? I really, sincerely hope I overlook something here!

[01101001]

But to expect that ice-type matl scraped from deeper trenches will pass thru such a fine mesh screen seems completely impossible.

How large to you expect the rasped ice particles to be?

RASP SAMPLE ACQUISITION ON THE PHOENIX MARS SCOUT MISSION (PDF)

The rasping operation powderizes materials while
it is cutting them free. In a few seconds and in a single
operation, rasp systems cut away strong materials,
process them to sizes that are instrument-ingestible,
and capture them in a catch container.
[...]
Conclusions: Rasping with the current ISAD RASP
bit design can remove a significant fraction of H2O in
permafrost samples. This is on top of passive sublimation
that takes place as the sample is transferred to the
instruments to be analyzed.

But the fraction looked to be 10 to 30 percent depending on weather.