Open AccessRock Abrasion Tool: Mars Exploration Rover mission
Author(s) -
Gorevan S. P.,
Myrick T.,
Davis K.,
Chau J. J.,
Bartlett P.,
Mukherjee S.,
Anderson R.,
Squyres S. W.,
Arvidson R. E.,
Madsen M. B.,
Bertelsen P.,
Goetz W.,
Binau C. S.,
Richter L.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: planets
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2003je002061
Subject(s) - payload (computing) , mars exploration program , geology , martian , abrasion (mechanical) , martian surface , exploration of mars , astrobiology , aerospace engineering , mining engineering , mechanical engineering , engineering , computer science , physics , computer network , network packet
The Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) is an integral part of the Athena Science payload. Serving primarily as the geologist's rock hammer, the RAT will expose fresh surfaces of Martian rocks to other instruments on the payload. The RAT also brushes dust and debris from an excavated hole or unaltered rocks. To accomplish these tasks autonomously, the RAT, a sophisticated 3‐axis precision‐controlled device, was designed. Data products derived from RAT telemetry enable the RAT to also act as an important rock physical properties science instrument. The returned RAT grinding and penetration rate data will be inverted and compared to a rock library on the Earth. The design is also very compact and lightweight: the RAT is contained within a cylinder 128 mm long and 85 mm in diameter and has a mass of 687 g.