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.

[7] The RMI has been used by the mission for reconnaissance of up-coming terrain as well as imaging distant features such as the rim of Gale Crater.

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.

The internal spectrometer (left) and the laser telescope (right) for the mast
Five frame ChemCam RMI mosaic (right) of the rock "Chantrey," colorized using the right MastCam (M-100) image (left). Image Credit: NASA / JPL / LANL / MSSS / Justin Cowart