The MVACS Robotic Arm Camera

Details The MVACS Robotic Arm Camera The MVACS Robotic Arm Camera

Aug 2001

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001jgr...10617609k&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 106, Issue E8, p. 17609-17622

Computer Science

Performance

2

Planetology: Solid Surface Planets, Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Polar Regions, Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Instruments And Techniques, Planetology: Solar System Objects: Mars

Scientific paper

The Robotic Arm Camera (RAC) is one of the key instruments newly developed for the Mars Volatiles and Climate Surveyor payload of the Mars Polar Lander. This lightweight instrument employs a front lens with variable focus range and takes images at distances from 11 mm (image scale 1:1) to infinity. Color images with a resolution of better than 50 μm can be obtained to characterize the Martian soil. Spectral information of nearby objects is retrieved through illumination with blue, green, and red lamp sets. The design and performance of the camera are described in relation to the science objectives and operation. The RAC uses the same CCD detector array as the Surface Stereo Imager and shares the readout electronics with this camera. The RAC is mounted at the wrist of the Robotic Arm and can characterize the contents of the scoop, the samples of soil fed to the Thermal Evolved Gas Analyzer, the Martian surface in the vicinity of the lander, and the interior of trenches dug out by the Robotic Arm. It can also be used to take panoramic images and to retrieve stereo information with an effective baseline surpassing that of the Surface Stereo Imager by about a factor of 3.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The MVACS Robotic Arm Camera does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The MVACS Robotic Arm Camera, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The MVACS Robotic Arm Camera will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-801907