NASA’s Perseverance Rover Faces Troubles with Instrument, May Lose Laser Capability
NASA’s Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars in February 2021, is facing difficulties with one of its key instruments. The Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) instrument, located at the end of the rover’s robot arm, is experiencing issues with its dust covers. This problem could potentially result in the rover losing its ability to use its laser to analyze rocks.
SHERLOC is equipped with cameras, a spectrometer, and a laser that helps in the search for compounds that could provide clues about past microbial life on Mars. However, one of the two covers designed to protect SHERLOC’s optics from dust has malfunctioned. NASA reported that on January 6, the cover was positioned in a way that hindered its operation modes. The rover’s team hinted at these problems in a blog post on January 25, where they mentioned that SHERLOC’s issues prevented the robot arm from being stowed and the rover from moving forward.
Efforts are underway to rectify the situation and restore SHERLOC’s functionality. Currently, the cover has partially opened, and engineers are conducting various operations to resolve the issue. They are experimenting with different power levels for the cover’s motor. However, until a solution is found, SHERLOC cannot utilize its laser on rock targets or collect spectroscopy data.
Despite this setback, the Wide Angle Topographic Sensor for Operations and Engineering (WATSON), which is part of the SHERLOC instrument, is still operational. WATSON operates through a separate aperture, allowing it to continue capturing imaging microscopy.
If engineers are unable to fix SHERLOC, there is some overlap with other instruments on the rover that can perform similar tasks. The SuperCam and the Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) are capable of conducting spectroscopy and can compensate for SHERLOC’s potential loss.
It is important to note that Perseverance has already exceeded its initial mission expectancy, having spent over 1,000 sols (Martian days) on Mars. Its predecessor, the Curiosity Mars rover, has been exploring the red planet for more than 11 years. NASA’s engineers have proven their expertise in overcoming challenges and ensuring the longevity of their missions.
Interestingly, the issue with SHERLOC coincided with another setback on the Mars mission. Ingenuity, the Mars helicopter carried by Perseverance, sustained rotor damage during its final flight. NASA decided to retire Ingenuity rather than risk further damage in the thin Martian atmosphere. This highlights the unpredictable nature of space exploration and the need for adaptability.
In the event that SHERLOC remains in an unusable state, Perseverance still has other instruments at its disposal. The SuperCam and PIXL can continue to contribute to the rover’s scientific objectives. Despite the setbacks, NASA’s missions to Mars have consistently exceeded expectations, showcasing the agency’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of exploration and discovery.
In conclusion, while Perseverance’s SHERLOC instrument is currently facing challenges due to malfunctioning dust covers, NASA’s engineers are working diligently to rectify the situation. The rover’s other instruments provide alternative capabilities, ensuring that its scientific objectives can still be achieved. The setbacks with SHERLOC and Ingenuity serve as reminders of the unpredictable nature of space exploration, but also highlight NASA’s resilience and ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances.
