Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002agufm.p22a0397e&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2002, abstract #P22A-0397
Mathematics
Logic
1000 Geochemistry (New Field, Replaces Rock Chemistry), 1060 Planetary Geochemistry (5405, 5410, 5704, 5709, 6005, 6008), 1094 Instruments And Techniques
Scientific paper
The Mars Rover Explorer (MER) Project conducted in the past few years two major blind field test that involved the Field Integrated Design and Operations (FIDO) rover, with a payload not quite, but close to the real MER mission flight payload. Since the APXS and the MB spectrometer cannot operate properly in the Earth's atmosphere, a representative variety of rocks and soil samples from designated "landing" sites were collected and sent to the respective laboratories for analyses with these two instruments. During the field tests, the data from FIDO instruments, together with the appropriate data from the APXS and MB spectrometers, which, according to the site operators opinion, most closely resembled the real analyzed samples, were transmitted to the control room at JPL for target evaluation. The APXS analyzed both, the natural side and the fresh cut side, of most of the rocks that were made available. By comparing the analytical results from both sides, it was possible to clearly detect and evaluate alteration rinds and coatings on the analyzed rocks. Desert varnish, thin iron and carbon coatings were found on natural side of some rocks, but not others. The elemental composition results by the APXS contributed synergistically with the other FIDO instruments to derive the mineralogical and geological characterization of the sites by imposing limits on the amounts and the variety of specific minerals. Most of the analyzed samples from both FIDO field test sites were very high in silica and alumina. In a few cases, the analyses were compatible with pure quartz. The alpha mode of the APXS is especially valuable for detecting even small amounts of carbonates. In many instances, it was possible to show that the carbon was only on the surface of some rocks. Examples of the APXS results from both blind field tests will be presented and discussed at the meeting The APXS results will be compared to the Pathfinder APXS rock analyses and conclusions will be made about rinds and coatings on the Mars rocks at the Pathfinder landing site.
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