BrickVista Tech-Notes



		Scientific Payload When a Rover is exploring it need tools and sensors to measure and analyse its environment. Each scientific instrument carried by a Rover is tailored to achieve specific task. This can range from capturing a 3-D stereoscopic image, to recording temperature, or analyzing rock composition. Typical scientific instruments and tools carried by a Rover might be:

		Panoramic Camera (Pancam) For determining the mineralogy, texture, and structure of the local terrain.

		Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES) For identifying promising rocks and soils for closer examination, and to determine the processes that formed Martian rocks.

		Mössbauer Spectrometer (MB) For close-up investigations of the mineralogy of iron-bearing rocks and soils.

		Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) For close-up analysis of the abundances of elements that make up rocks and soils.

		Magnets For collecting magnetic dust particles.

		Microscopic Imager (MI) For obtaining close-up, high-resolution images of rocks and soils.

		Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) For removing dusty and weathered rock surfaces and exposing fresh material for examination by instruments onboard.

BrickVista is a completely unofficial, fan created web site showcasing models created using official parts produced by the LEGO® company.

All trademarks, service marks, and copyrights are property of their respective owners. LEGO®, Technic, Mindstorms, Robotics Invention System, and RCX are trademarks of the LEGO® Group of companies, which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site. Visit the official LEGO® website at http://www.LEGO.com.

All photographic images of Rovers are supplied courtesy of NASA/JPL, which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site. Visit the official NASA website at http://www.nasa.gov.

See legal Info for further details.