SPADE: A rock-crushing and sample-handling system developed for Mars missions

Abstract

A novel system has been developed to access and analyze the interior of rocks on Mars by crushing rocks. A miniature rock crusher has been prototyped along with a method for distribution of the fines and fragments produced by the rock crusher to inspection and analysis instruments. The science goals and advantages of this approach are substantial with respect to understanding the geologic and climate history of Mars via the investigation of its mineralogy and petrology. The system is described in detail, and results of various performance metrics are reported. Engineering considerations, constraints on functionality, fault tolerance, and its previously-planned deployment on the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory mission are described. Copyright 2007 by the American Geophysical Union.