Madrid, 10 (European Press)
The accumulation of debris has complicated the process of storing the sample tubes collected by the Perseverance rover on Mars. NASA is studying how to clean it up.
The sixth sample tube was successfully filled with material from Jezero Crater on December 29. However, as the tube was moved to the tank inside the rover where it was processed, sensors indicated an anomaly: a higher-than-normal resistance so that the rover’s robotic arm positioned the tube to seal and store it.
The mission team on the ground sent a command to remove the drill bit and a tube filled with sample from the tank and separate the robotic arm from the tank.
During these activities, a series of images were obtained that confirm the presence of some pebble-sized pieces of rubble within the sediments. The team is confident that these were rock fragments that were ejected from the sample tube when the drill bit was unloaded and prevented from completely sitting in the tank.
The designers of the warehouse took into account the ability to continue to work successfully with debris. “However, this is the first time we are removing debris and we want to take the time to make sure that these gravels come out in an orderly and orderly manner,” the mission blog states.
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