Emily Lakdawalla • Jul 26, 2008
Phoenix sol 60: not enough sample to TEGA
Well, according to a release just posted on the Phoenix website, despite the success of the rasping efforts, not enough sample got in to the TEGA instrument for it to shut the doors over the sample. This time the problem was not with TEGA. The problem was that the sample material stayed stuck on the inside of the scoop. The picture below was taken at 07:55, after the attempted dump. (The dump happened some time between 07:33 and 07:49, according to the time stamps on the pre- and post-dump robotic arm camera images.)
There is one piece of good news: TEGA did vibrate to try to get the sample inside, and the vibration appears not to have triggered the potential "high-side" short that has had the Phoenix team so worried. So this is NOT the last-ever attempt to use TEGA, as had been feared. They get to try again. It was not clear from the release whether they will try again with the open oven. They didn't indicate otherwise.
It almost, almost worked -- better luck next time!
Support our core enterprises
Your support powers our mission to explore worlds, find life, and defend Earth. You make all the difference when you make a gift. Give today!
Donate