The robotic arm has been moved for the first time. This is the 70 kg instrument which carries the X-ray spectrometer and close up imager MAHLI. It can make very delicate movements and is at the heart of many of the science investigations that Curiosity will make. So after 16 sols of operations Curiosity has continued to successfully tick off many of its operational features. Next will be small movements of the rover itself. The radioisotope thermoelectronic generator at the back of Curiosity (to stop the heat interfering with the instruments) can generate enough power, about 100 W to drive the 6 wheeled rover and operate the instruments over the duration of the mission.
Monday 20th August Sol 15
About jbridges
This blog is a record of my experiences and work during the Mars Science Laboratory mission, from the preparation, landing on August 5th 2012 Pacific Time, and onwards... I will also post updates about our other Mars work on meteorites, ExoMars and new missions. You can also follow the planetary science activities with @LeicsPlanets Professor John Bridges, School of Physics and Astronomy
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