Ashwin R. Vasavada msl deputy Project Scientist nasa’s Mars Exploration Program

Ashwin R. Vasavada MSL Deputy Project Scientist

NASA’s Mars Exploration Program

Scientific Objective of MSL

Current Rover Configuration

Comparison with MER

MSL Mission Overview

Project Milestones

Scientific Objectives for MSL

Scientific Investigations Overview

Current Rover Configuration

Mast Camera (MastCam)

Chemistry & Micro-Imaging (ChemCam)

Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS)

Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI)

Chemistry & Mineralogy (CheMin)

Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM)

Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN)

Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD)

Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS)

Mars Descent Imager (MARDI)

Sample Acquisition, Processing, & Handling

Summary: Investigations vs. Objectives

A Typical Payload Operations Scenario

Scientific Guidance for Site Selection

Backup

Landing Site Access

EDL Timeline (2 of 2)