ChemCam on Mars Science Lab - Jen Blank (SETI Talks)

[looksintolasers]

If the calibration samples are on the rover, is the laser capable of damaging the body of the rover itself in the case of a misfire? How many times can the samples be "lased" before they get used up?

[setiinstitute]

@looksintolasers I got this response form Jen Blank: "The laser will fire at low energies - less than 15 mJ - and won't damage the rover. It might take off a little paint, though, if the aim if off! Nothing to worry about. (It would be hard to see a small paint burn with the naked eye.)

The calibration samples are large (a few cm diameter) in comparison to the < 1 mm diameter by tenths of mm depth spot size of the laser and should outlast the mission."

[looksintolasers]

@setiinstitute Interesting, thanks!