In former 2016 , the exercise used by NASA ’s Mars rover Curiosity start to malfunction due to an manifest mechanical failure . This Saturday , NASA will examine a young method that could restore the practice session ’s decisive jackhammering capability , and by effect , the rover ’s ability to analyse Martian rock ‘n’ roll samples .
To deliver into Martian John Rock , Curiosity ’s drill uses a combination of percussive pounding with a rotating exercise minute . betimes in the mission , an electric malfunction caused trouble with the hammer mechanism , but an even bigger problem occured in December 2016when the rover ’s drill provender — a chemical mechanism that moves up and down — broke down , the result of a awry bracken .
Since then , the space agency has tried to fix the recitation system from afar , but its engineers have been ineffectual to restore it to its former gloriole . A major breakthrough was made earlier this year with a technique call up Feed Extended Drilling , or FED . ineffectual to use the normal provender motion to guide the recitation downwards , NASA had Curiosity ’s limb do the body of work . The arm would n’t be brace against the rock with the two stabilizer on either side , but at least the rotating drill bit could be pressed against the rock . trial in previous February did n’t ease up any rock samples , but it showed the drill can operate without the welfare of stabiliser prongs .
In an effort to restore the drill ’s full functionality , or at least get it to a useful state , NASA is now set to reconstruct the recitation organization ’s hammering power , otherwise known as percussive drilling . On May 19 , Curiosity will ( hopefully ) bore into Martian rock using the hammering - enabled FED technique .
“ This is our next adult trial to restore drill closer to the elbow room it worked before , ” Steven Lee , Curiosity deputy undertaking coach at at NASA ’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena , California , said in a affirmation . “ Based on how it performs , we can fine - tune the process , examine things like increasing the amount of force we apply while boring . ”
Should the trial go well , and should the young proficiency raise a dusty stone sample distribution , NASA can commence to test a new process for give up that material to the rover ’s internal chemical science lab . These refinement will go a foresightful elbow room to restitute Curiosity ’s full capacity .
It would also be timely news , give Curiosity ’s next destination . The rover is currently doing a bit of a backtrack along the Vera Rubin Ridge to get through an expanse jam in clay mineral . NASA scientists need to canvas as many rock-and-roll type as possible at Mount Sharp .
“ We ’ve purposely driven rearward because the team believe there ’s high value in drilling a distinct variety of rock that makes up a 200 - foot - thickset [ about 60 meters ] layer below the ridge , ” said Curiosity project scientist Ashwin Vasavada . “ We ’re fortunately in a perspective to drive back a short way and still pick up a objective on the top of this level . ”
To which he added : “ Every layer of Mount Sharp reveals a chapter in Mars ’ history . Without the drill , our first pass through this layer was like plane the chapter . Now we get a chance to read it in detail . ”
[ NASA ]
oddity roverMarsmars explorationNASAScience
Daily Newsletter
Get the unspoiled tech , science , and finish tidings in your inbox daily .
News from the future , delivered to your present .
You May Also Like
