19 September 2018
The small exploration rovers, MINERVA-II1 - Camera
There are four cameras on Rover-1A and three cameras on Rover-1B. The scientists use the cameras on each rover to create a stereo image of the surface of Ryugu. Some of the projections from the rover edge that looks like thorns are temperature sensors to measure the surface temperature of Ryugu. Additional instruments on the rovers include optical sensors, an accelerometer and a gyroscope.
The rovers communicate with Hayabusa2 using the repeater (OME-E) installed on the main spacecraft. The maximum communication speed is 32 kbps. Data received by Hayabusa is then transferred to the Earth. The OME-E will also be used for communication with the German/French lander, MASCOT, scheduled for deployment in October.
The main feature of MINERVA-II1 is the ability for the rovers to move on the surface of Ryugu by utilizing a hopping mechanism. Within the rover is a motor that rotates and causes the rover to “hop” (jump up) during the rebound. This will allow the rovers to move across the asteroid surface and explore multiple areas. On Ryugu, MINERVA-II1 will move autonomously, determining what should be done for the exploration by itself.