Localization and physical properties experiments conducted by Spirit at Gusev Crater.

Arvidson, R E; Anderson, R C; Bartlett, P; Bell, J F; Blaney, D; Christensen, P R; Chu, P; Crumpler, L et al. · Science · 2004

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The precise location and relative elevation of Spirit during its traverses from the Columbia Memorial station to Bonneville crater were determined with bundle-adjusted retrievals from rover wheel turns, suspension and tilt angles, and overlapping images. Physical properties experiments show a decrease of 0.2% per Mars solar day in solar cell output resulting from deposition of airborne dust, cohesive soil-like deposits in plains and hollows, bright and dark rock coatings, and relatively weak volcanic rocks of basaltic composition. Volcanic, impact, aeolian, and water-related processes produced the encountered landforms and materials.

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