FIDO Uses RAT for First Time This Field Test
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On this sol, the science team commanded FIDO to use its Rock
Abrasion Tool, or RAT, on a dark flat rock named "black lab".
The FIDO rover does not actually have the RAT instrument on its arm,
but the Mars Exploration Rovers will, so scientists need to practice using it.
To accomplish this, engineers determine placement of the Instrument
Deployment Device (IDD) on the target surface as they would if a RAT did
exist on the arm.
Once it is determined that the instrument is in the correct position,
scientists in the field manually drill the surface of the specified target with
instruments that simulate the action of the Rock Abrasion Tool. For this
test, geologist Bob Anderson performed the role of the human RAT.
Engineers used software tools to confirm that the Instrument
Deployment Device would not collide with anything while attempting to
reach desired targets on the rock and surrounding soil. Once they
determined that there were reachable points on the rock, they
commanded FIDO to begin the rock abrasion.
Everyone is anxiously awaiting the result of this first RAT attempt.
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Eddie Tunstel |
Mark Powell |
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Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu |
Eric Baumgartner |
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Jeff Norris |
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