Chemistry and Camera complex

Chemistry and Camera complex (ChemCam) is a suite of remote sensing instruments on Mars for the Curiosity rover.

As the name implies, ChemCam is actually two different instruments combined as one: a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and a Remote Micro Imager (RMI) telescope.

[1][8][9] The flight model of the mast unit was delivered from the French CNES to Los Alamos National Laboratory.

[10] ChemCam marks the first use of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) as part of a planetary science mission.

The Remote Micro-Imager is primarily used to capture high-resolution, black and white images of ChemCam targets for context and documentation.

ChemCam has been used, in conjunction with other instruments of the Curiosity rover, to make advancements in understanding the chemical composition of rocks and soils on Mars.

LIBS makes it possible to detect and quantify the major oxides: SiO2, Al2O3, FeOT, MgO, TiO2, CaO, Na2O, and K2O of bedrock targets.