1. Rover Components

2. Power Source Most of the rover’s power comes from solar power
The rover collects solar energy during hours the rover is in the sun
Mars Exploration Rovers have 5 solar panels
They use the stored energy to run basic rover operations
Solar panels can generate up to 140-watts of energy for 4 hours
It takes about 100-watts to drive the rover
Rovers often “sleep” at night to conserve energy

3. Power Source – Solar Panels
Mars Exploration Rover has 5 solar panels

4. Power Source
Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity) have 2 rechargeable batteries
These provide power for the rover at night
These will also make up for extra power the rover needs when the solar panels are covered with dust and cannot fully charge
Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) has 2 nuclear powered batteries
These provide more power for longer
290-watts by each battery for 24 hours and 37 minutes (1 Martian day)
More power allows more scientific experiments

5. Power Source – Nuclear Power
Houses 2 RTG (radioisotope thermoelectric generator) batteries

6. Traction Components (Wheels)
Due to the rocky terrain, the Mars rovers are equipped with wheels capable of navigating uneven terrain.
The rover has 6 wheels, each with its own motor.
2 front, 2 middle, 2 rear
The front and rear wheels allow the rover to turn a full 360 degrees
The wheels have cleats to allow the rover to hold fast to the soft and rough terrain

7. Traction Components (Wheels)

8. Communication The rovers are equipped with 2 different antennae
Low-gain antenna that send low intensity radio waves
These are picked up by 1 of 3 satellites that make up the Deep Space Network
These satellites are spaced around the world so these radio waves can be picked up at any time
High-gain antenna that send direct beams of higher intensity radio waves in a specific direction
These antennae can be moved without moving the rover

9. Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity
Communication
Low-Gain Antenna
High-Gain Antenna
Mars Exploration Rovers
Spirit and Opportunity

10. Mars Science Laboratory
Communication
Low-Gain Antenna
High-Gain Antenna
Mars Science Laboratory
Curiosity

11. Tools – Arm and Mast Arm Mast
Also called “instrument deployment device” (IDD) because it can move the scientific instruments to get up close images of rocks and soil
Mast
The “neck and head” of the rover
5 feet tall
Base for Pancam and Navcam

12. Tools – Arm and Mast
Arm
Mast

13. Tools – RAT and APXS RAT APXS Stands for “Rock Abrasion Tool”
Located on the arm of the rover
A grinder that can drill 2 inch diameter holes in rocks
Takes up to 2 hours
APXS
Stands for “Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer”
Uses alpha particles to determine the chemical composition of the rock samples
Takes up to 10 hours

14. Tools – RAT and APXS
APXS
RAT

15. Tools -- Cameras Panoramic Camera Navigation Camera “PanCam”
2 high resolution cameras mounted on the mast that can rotate 360 degrees and give a panoramic view
Uses 11 different filters to differentiate colors emitted by different minerals
Navigation Camera
“NavCam”
2 black and white cameras mounted on the mast that can pivot 45 degrees above and below the PanCam
Helps NASA scientists navigate the rover

16. Tools -- Cameras Hazard Avoidance Camera “HazCam”
4 cameras that take black and white pictures of the ground in front of and behind the rover
Used by NASA scientists to navigate the rover
Can see up to 3 meters in front of and behind the rover
Has a 120 degrees field of view

17. Tools -- Cameras

18. Tools -- Cameras

19. Tools – Warm Electronics Box
Also called the WEB
Body of the rover
Protects the rover’s electronics, computer, and batteries from the extreme cold temperatures
The top is triangular shaped and called the “Rover Equipment Deck” or RED

20. Tools – Warm Electronics Box
WEB