Blind field tests of the FIDO (Field Integrated Design & Operations) rover were conducted Apr 30th-May 11th, 2001 at Soda Mountain, CA. We analyzed samples CL01-1 through CL01-13 from that site in the laboratory by Raman spectroscopy to provide a data set that could be compared with results from other instruments.
Minerals found in rocks: Plagioclase (K-feld, Cristobalite/qtz, SiO2 galss);
Biotite-Phlogopite (stilphnomalene?);
Hornblende (magnesiohastingsite);
Clino- & Orthopyroxene;
Hematite (magnetite, cassiterite, anatase, and brookite);
Calcite/aragonite;
Montomorillonite;
Alunite (anhydrite);
Graphitic carbon.Minerals in soil different from rocks:
More Qtz than cristobalite, more K-feld than plag.
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Typical Raman spectra from two of the FIDO rocks
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Rocks and soils studied by in situ instruments
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"Ruth" |
"Aaron" |
"Guild" |
"Gibson" |
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"William" |
"Sonny" |
"Sonny" & "Summer" |
other local rocks |
Reference: Kuebler K. E., Jolliff B. L., Wang A., and Haskin L. A., A Raman spectroscopic study of samples from the May 2001 FIDO test site, Abstract #1536, 33th LPSc, 2002.
