APXS Deployment Mechanism
Alpha Proton X-Ray
Spectrometer Deployment Mechanism
The deployment mechanism supports the APXS under launch and landing
loads and provides a means for positioning the APXS with a single actuator. The linkage
allows the APXS to be placed at a variety of elevations above nominal ground level and at
a variety of rotational orientations. The mounting of the APXS to the deployment mechanism
permits about 20 degrees of compliance motion as the APXS is placed in contact with the
sample. A set of contact closures on the APXS front aperture ring indicate to the Rover
that the positioning is complete, thereby terminating the positioning motions.