PIA05053: Turning in the Testbed

Mission: Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Spacecraft: Spirit Instrument: Hazard Avoidance Camera Product Size: 1024 samples x 1024 lines Produced By: JPL Full-Res TIFF: PIA05053.tif (932.6 kB) Full-Res JPEG: PIA05053.jpg (140.9 kB)

Original Caption Released with Image: This image, taken in the JPL In-Situ Instruments Laboratory or "Testbed," shows the view from the front hazard avoidance cameras on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit after the rover has backed up and turned 45 degrees counterclockwise. Engineers rehearsed this maneuver at JPL before performing it on Mars. This maneuver is the first step in a 3-point turn that will rotate the rover 115 degrees to face the rear direction and drive off a rear side lander petal. Image Credit: NASA/JPL