8) GRS Installation (copyright also: KSC): One of three
main scientific instruments, the Gamma Ray Spectrometer will
measure the abundance and distribution of about 20 primary
elements of the periodic table, including silicon, oxygen, iron,
calcium, aluminum, and carbon. In essence, GRS is going to explain
what "ingredients" make up the surface of Mars,
which in turn will help us understand much about formation and
development of Mars over time, and by comparison, of Earth and
the inner solar system as well. |