Mars Exploration Rover Mission: Technology


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Science Instruments: In-situ Instrumentation

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The white panoramic camera mast assembly (PMA)
looks like an elongated neck, topped by a head full of robotic 'eyes.' From atop the PMA, which is at about the
height an average human stands (1.5 meters or 5 feet), the rovers uses its visual cameras - the panoramic camera
and the navigation camera -to capture spectacular views and provide critical images of scientific targets of interest.
The miniature thermal emission spectrometer that sits on the rover's 'head' also 'sees,' but not in the visible range.
Mini-TES, as it is nicknamed, sees infrared radiation emitted from objects.

The panoramic camera mast assembly (PMA) serves as the rover's "neck" and "head." Atop the "head" are the twin "eyes" of the panoramic camera as well as those of the navigation camera. The flexible "head" tilts and rotates and allows the cameras to take spectacular images. The miniature thermal emission spectrometer, which sees infrared radiation emitted from objects, also sits on the PMA.