Roving Mars: 2000+ sols into a 90-sol miiission · Roving Mars: 2000+ sols into a 90-sol miiission...

Roving Mars: 2000+ sols into a 90-sol i i

Roving Mars: 2000+ sols into a 90-sol i imissionmission

R. Aileen YingstR. Aileen YingstgUniversity of Wisconsin-Green Bay

gUniversity of Wisconsin-Green Bay

22 October 2009

Why Mars?Why Mars?Why Mars?Why Mars?

There are well over 100 worlds in our solarThere are well over 100 worlds in our solarThere are well over 100 worlds in our solar system, not including the flotsam. Why does Mars hold such interest?

There are well over 100 worlds in our solar system, not including the flotsam. Why does Mars hold such interest?Mars hold such interest?Mars is an end-member by which we can better understand Earth

Mars hold such interest?Mars is an end-member by which we can better understand Earthunderstand Earth.Mars gives us historical context in which we can put our own planet.

understand Earth.Mars gives us historical context in which we can put our own planet.Mars is a geologic world, with rocks to play with and dirt to dig in and important questions to answer.Mars is a geologic world, with rocks to play with and dirt to dig in and important questions to answer.

MarsMarsMarsMars

Mars has theMars has theMars has the most Earth-like geology

Mars has the most Earth-like geologylike geology.like geology.

Apollinaris

Numerous volcanicNumerous volcanic

Patera

volcanic featuresvolcanic features

Olympus Mons

Lava tubes on Pavonis Mons

2 km

Fluvial andFluvial andFluvial and sedimentary features

Fluvial and sedimentary features

Possible gullies, showing layering

An active planetAn active planetAn active planetAn active planet

The most significant finding: Evidence offinding: Evidence of recent liquid water activity.

Wind-Wind-Dunes

transported featurestransported features

Dunes along the edge of Mars’ North Pole

Elysium dune field

Wind tail behind Barnacle Bill, Ares Valles

M i dMartian dust devil

Arizona dust devil

MarsMarsMarsMars

AtmosphericAtmosphericAtmospheric disturbances on two planets

Atmospheric disturbances on two planetstwo planets.two planets.

Oregon as Mars analoganalog

MER Mission: explore two sites on Mars where water may once have been present, assess the suitability of past environmental conditions for possibility

f lifof life.

MER TimelineMER TimelineMER TimelineMER TimelineSpirit launched June Spirit launched June p2003, Opportunity launched in July, 2003.

p2003, Opportunity launched in July, 2003.Landed safely in January of 2004.Mission extended

Landed safely in January of 2004.Mission extendedMission extended past 90-day nominal mission in April 2004

Mission extended past 90-day nominal mission in April 20042004.2004.

The first image of the interior of a Mars Rock by Spirit.

Mission highlightsMission highlightsMission highlightsMission highlights

Rovers were designed to last (at least) 90Rovers were designed to last (at least) 90Rovers were designed to last (at least) 90 martian days (we call them sols).Spirit is up to sol 2065; Opportunity

Rovers were designed to last (at least) 90 martian days (we call them sols).Spirit is up to sol 2065; OpportunitySpirit is up to sol 2065; Opportunity planned sol 2043 today.Rovers together have clocked over 25 km

Spirit is up to sol 2065; Opportunity planned sol 2043 today.Rovers together have clocked over 25 kmRovers together have clocked over 25 km (Opportunity alone has gone over 18 km)Mission highlights from both sides of the

Rovers together have clocked over 25 km (Opportunity alone has gone over 18 km)Mission highlights from both sides of theMission highlights from both sides of the planet.Mission highlights from both sides of the planet.

MER Opportunity resultsMER Opportunity resultsMER Opportunity resultsMER Opportunity results

The Berry Bowl: First solid proof of the action of water on Mars.

MER Opportunity resultsMER Opportunity resultsMER Opportunity resultsMER Opportunity results

Rock formations that were formed b li id

Rock formations that were formed b li idby liquid (standing) water.by liquid (standing) water.

Opportunity at Victoria CraterHiRISE image

Water inside Victoria CraterCrater

Fins, Gilbert layer

Dust storm, June-July, 2007

Opportunity Traverse Map (Sol 2042)Victoria Endeavour

0km 5.1km 19.0km26.9%

Mackinac Island

Block Islanda Large Iron-Nickel Meteoritea Large Iron Nickel Meteorite

Vail Beach

Block Island Target NamesBlock Island Target Names

Siahs Swamp

Great Salt PondMiddle Pond

Fresh Pond

Sachem Pond

Middle Pond

Harbor PondCentinental Pond

Sands Pond

Harbor Pond

Clayhead Swamp

Spirit images itself.

Spirit science resultsSpirit science resultsSpirit science resultsSpirit science resultsGusev crater was formed Gusev crater was formed in basaltic rock. This is a rocky landscape.Evidence for impacts and

in basaltic rock. This is a rocky landscape.Evidence for impacts andEvidence for impacts and eolian activity, but no standing water at initial site

Evidence for impacts and eolian activity, but no standing water at initial sitesite.Bedrock regions show more significant alteration by water

site.Bedrock regions show more significant alteration by wateralteration by water.alteration by water.

Flutes and ventifacts, Gusev Crater

Mars fights back, and Spirit gets

Mars fights back, and Spirit getsSpirit gets lucky.Spirit gets lucky.

Sol 416 Sol 426

Crisis for some, Opportunity for , pp yothers

Arad, in the Dead Sea region, is a bed of evaporites (salts)

Arad, in the Dead Sea region, is a bed of evaporites (salts)evaporites (salts).Salts are commonly transported dissolved in

evaporites (salts).Salts are commonly transported dissolved in water….water….

HiRISE image of Spirit

HiRISE image of SpiritSpirit location and the rover

Spirit location and the rover itself.itself.

Home Plate: A possible hydrovolcanic remnant?

Staying over in our second Winter HavenStaying over in our second Winter Haven

Winter #3 Winter #3 Long Term Planning

•• Because of the Because of the latitude of Spirit’s latitude of Spirit’s landing site, winter landing site, winter means very little means very little

li hli hsunlight.sunlight.•• Present tilt of 29.9Present tilt of 29.9º º

gives us the most gives us the most sunlight per day on sunlight per day on our solar panels.our solar panels.

Winter #4 is coming: Free Spirit!Winter #4 is coming: Free Spirit!Winter #4 is coming: Free Spirit!Winter #4 is coming: Free Spirit!

We’ve been stuck since aboutWe’ve been stuck since aboutWe ve been stuck since about sol 1886.Contrary to statements of

We ve been stuck since about sol 1886.Contrary to statements of yothers, Spirit is NOT dead and we have NOT given up on her extrication

yothers, Spirit is NOT dead and we have NOT given up on her extricationextrication.November 8 is the earliest possible date to start the

extrication.November 8 is the earliest possible date to start the pattempt.pattempt.

A simple scientist roving MarsA simple scientist roving MarsA simple scientist roving MarsA simple scientist roving Mars

The best job in theThe best job in theThe best job in the world.The best job in the world.

An old technique for a new worldAn old technique for a new worldAn old technique for a new worldAn old technique for a new world

Morphology (size shape roundness) containsMorphology (size shape roundness) containsMorphology (size, shape, roundness) contains much of the record of a clast’s history.Th h i i b ifi d

Morphology (size, shape, roundness) contains much of the record of a clast’s history.Th h i i b ifi dThese characteristics can be quantified.Quantification allows correlation with other These characteristics can be quantified.Quantification allows correlation with other numerical data such as spectral signature.Important for Mars because it provides a numerical data such as spectral signature.Important for Mars because it provides a p pnumerical characteristic that is independent of non-lithologic factors.

p pnumerical characteristic that is independent of non-lithologic factors.gg

Benefits to using this techniqueBenefits to using this technique

Spectral inputs

g qg q

AtmosphereSun angle

Spectral inputs

Sun angleCoatings DustRock composition

Morphology is presumably independent of all Morphology is presumably independent of all these except the physical nature of the rock itself.these except the physical nature of the rock itself.

Flat facets, smooth

Vesicular

Flat facets, rougher

One more milestoneOne more milestoneOne more milestone…One more milestone…

For a mission of so many milestones one moreFor a mission of so many milestones one moreFor a mission of so many milestones, one more occurred on February 22, 2008.All i l l f S i i

For a mission of so many milestones, one more occurred on February 22, 2008.All i l l f S i iAll rover operational roles for Spirit were “manned” by women.All rover operational roles for Spirit were “manned” by women.This is the first time for any spacecraft that enough trained women were available to do this.This is the first time for any spacecraft that enough trained women were available to do this.

How willHow willThe Mars Estrogen Rover MissionThe Mars Estrogen Rover Mission

differ fromdiffer fromThe Mars Exploration Rover MissionThe Mars Exploration Rover Mission??

How willHow willThe Mars Estrogen Rover MissionThe Mars Estrogen Rover Mission

differ fromdiffer fromThe Mars Exploration Rover MissionThe Mars Exploration Rover Mission??

1.1. Rather than use AUTONAV, the rover will stop and ask Rather than use AUTONAV, the rover will stop and ask for directions.for directions.

How willHow willThe Mars Estrogen Rover MissionThe Mars Estrogen Rover Mission

differ fromdiffer fromThe Mars Exploration Rover MissionThe Mars Exploration Rover Mission??

1.1. Rather than use AUTONAV, the rover will stop and ask Rather than use AUTONAV, the rover will stop and ask for directions.for directions.

2.2. The MiniThe Mini--TES mirror will be used to apply makeup.TES mirror will be used to apply makeup.

How willHow willThe Mars Estrogen Rover MissionThe Mars Estrogen Rover Mission

differ fromdiffer fromThe Mars Exploration Rover MissionThe Mars Exploration Rover Mission??

1.1. Rather than use AUTONAV, the rover will stop and ask Rather than use AUTONAV, the rover will stop and ask for directions.for directions.

2.2. The MiniThe Mini--TES mirror will be used to apply makeup.TES mirror will be used to apply makeup.3.3. Pancam images of the back deck will be repeatedly Pancam images of the back deck will be repeatedly

t k t if th ’ d ll d l k f tt k t if th ’ d ll d l k f ttaken to see if the rover’s rear end really does look fat.taken to see if the rover’s rear end really does look fat.

Time for funTime for funTime for funTime for fun

Every mission is actually a collection of people.The smart PI will find ways for their crew to let off steam.Every mission is actually a collection of people.The smart PI will find ways for their crew to let off steam.The smart agency will understand that allowing scientists to be human beings (as much as that injects unpredictability into the mix) is a crucial way of drawing

The smart agency will understand that allowing scientists to be human beings (as much as that injects unpredictability into the mix) is a crucial way of drawingunpredictability into the mix) is a crucial way of drawing new, young scientists to the agency.unpredictability into the mix) is a crucial way of drawing new, young scientists to the agency.

Calibrating our discussionCalibrating our discussionCalibrating our discussionCalibrating our discussion

Robots vs Humans:Robots vs Humans:Robots vs. Humans:– More instruments available– More people available to make good decisions

WAY f

Robots vs. Humans:– More instruments available– More people available to make good decisions

WAY f– WAY saferBUT– More people available to complain about decisions

– WAY saferBUT– More people available to complain about decisions– The amount of work that can be done is severely limited by:– Time– Data rate

– The amount of work that can be done is severely limited by:– Time– Data rate– Power– Spacecraft needs/limitations– Power– Spacecraft needs/limitations

Mars Exploration RoversMars Exploration RoversMars Exploration RoversMars Exploration RoversDay to dayDay to dayDay to day operationsDay to day operations

Trends in Energy and Tau

Tau: 0.381Energy: 247 W-hrs

Trends in Dust Factor

Data Volume and Power

Flash Status as of Sol 1471 ODY-1Data Products on Board: 1565 DPFlash Available: 1080 MbUnsent data (Pancam tracking): 274 Mb Acquired Data 101 Mb

Sol 1472-1474Predicted Downlink 59 Mb (recharge)

Predicted DeletesSol 1472 87 Mb (410 dp)Flash Available to science 930 MbSol 1472-1474 Recommendation: 200 Mb

Battery charge, Sol 1469: 11.9 A-hr (predict)Solar array energy, Sol 1470: 247 W-hr (actual)shunt:6whrsTau, Sol 1470 (actual): 0.381 ? Dust Factor, Sol 1467: 0.377