MSL Update John Grotzinger Project Scientist November 19, 2008

Rover Family Portrait

Launch (Cruise) Configuration 4.500 Meters Heatshield 2.648 Meters Heatshield 2.653 Meters Heatshield MARS PATH FINDER (MPF) MARS EXPLORATION ROVER (MER) MARS SCIENCE LABORATORY (MSL)

Spacecraft Exploded Views MARS PATH FINDER (MPF) MARS EXPLORATION ROVER (MER) MARS SCIENCE LABORATORY (MSL)

Rovers Traversing MARS PATH FINDER (MPF) MARS EXPLORATION ROVER (MER) MARS SCIENCE LABORATORY (MSL) Rover Mass 10.6 kg 174.0 kg 875.0 kg

MSL Remote Arm

Aeroshell at Lockheed

Cruise Stage in ATLO

Descent Stage in ATLO

Rover with Mobility System

Powered Descent Vehicle (PDV)

Turnover prior to Heatshield Mate

Heatshield Mate in Process

Science Payload: ChemCam Mast Unit

APXS – Delivered to JPL

MAHLI – Delivered to JPL

RAD (Radiation Assessment Detector) RAD interface checks w/ rover in progress FM Environmental Testing to begin end of September FM delivery to JPL in early November

RAD interface checks w/ rover in progress

FM Environmental Testing to begin end of September

FM delivery to JPL in early November

DAN – Delivered to JPL Detectors Pulsing Neutron Generator

MARDI – Delivered to JPL

CheMin

SAM

MSL Candidate Sites Lines show ±30º and ±45º latitude. Holden Crater Mawrth Vallis Eberswalde Delta VL-2 VL-1 MPF MER-A MER-B Gale Crater PHX

Mawrth Vallis Phyllosilicates

Eberswalde Crater Delta

Landing Site Selection The MSL landing site: Is the foundation for a successful mission: both safety and science Must contain evidence suggestive of a past or present habitable environment. The geological, chemical, and/or biological evidence should be preserved for, accessible to, and interpretable by MSL’s payload. Have focused on mineralogical and/or geomorphological indicators of aqueous environments, e.g., phyllosilicates, sulfates, layered materials, depositional fans Must meet or exceed all engineering and safety criteria Must allow acceptable operational performance (e.g., terrain, temperatures) The ability to assess each of the above is increasing rapidly with time.

The MSL landing site:

Is the foundation for a successful mission: both safety and science

Must contain evidence suggestive of a past or present habitable environment. The geological, chemical, and/or biological evidence should be preserved for, accessible to, and interpretable by MSL’s payload.

Have focused on mineralogical and/or geomorphological indicators of aqueous environments, e.g., phyllosilicates, sulfates, layered materials, depositional fans

Must meet or exceed all engineering and safety criteria

Must allow acceptable operational performance (e.g., terrain, temperatures)

The ability to assess each of the above is increasing rapidly with time.