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Chemistry & Mineralogy X-Ray Diffraction Instrument

This sketch shows a transparent, rectangular chamber with a spoked wheel inside it. Around the outer edge of the wheel are slots for holding chemical samples.

February 16, 2009

Designed to be about the size of a laptop computer inside a carrying case, the Chemistry and Mineralogy Instrument will identify and measure the abundances of minerals on Mars. A rotating wheel in the center of the rectangular housing will carry individual rock and soil samples for chemical analysis.

Credits

NASA/JPL-Caltech

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