Robotic Arm (also called the instrument deployment device, or IDD) is a device mounted on a rover that holds and maneuvers four science instruments: RAT, MI, MB and APXS. At the end of the arm is a cross-shaped turret that holds various tools. It can spin through a 350-degree turning range.
RAT (Rock Abrasion Tool) - instrument mounted on the robotic arm that is used to remove rock surfaces in order to expose fresh material for the analysis. It grinds away the rock layers.
MI (Microscopic Imager) - the magnifying glass that takes microscopic images, used to examine the rocks and soils.
MB (Mössbauer Spectrometer) - the instrument used to analyze and characterize the iron in the rocks. It also analyzes magnetic dust samples collected by the Magnetic Array on the rover’s deck.
APXS (Alpha-Particle X-Ray Spectrometer) instrument used to specify the elemental composition of the rocks. It is mounted on the robotic arm and must be placed in contact with the rock surface for the analysis.
In future devlogs, you will learn about the specific details of other Spirit and Opportunity’s science instruments :)
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