| Instrument |
Description |
Maturity |
| Stereo Panoramic Imager (SPI) |
Stereo color cameras on a pan/tilt unit.Returns panoramas and high-res images up to 1
mm/pixel resolution. Primary sensor for target selection and understanding science context. |
High. Integrated with rover. Returned useful science data. Minor calibration, reliability
issues. |
| Visible/Near Infrared Spectrometer (VNS) |
Returns spectra in visible and near-infrared wavelengths. Primarily used for mineralogy,
may also detect chlorophyll |
Medium. Backpackable unit separate from rover. Returned useful science data. Mature
technology. |
| Fluorescence Imager (FI) |
Returns visible reference and fluorescence images. Used to identify life by detecting
naturally fluorescent biomolecules such as chlorophyll. |
Low. Integrated with rover. Did not return useful science data. Basic technology research
still required. |
| Environmental Sensors (ES) |
Weather station with wind, humidity, insolation sensors. Used for both engineering
(e.g., solar panel performance) and science environment understanding. |
High. Stationary weather station separate from rover. Returned useful data. May or may not
be integrated with rover in future expeditions; integration not expected to be challenging. |
