Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Mars Descent Imager (MARDI) Pre-Launch Images

This MARDI image, taken in October 2008, shows the MARDI Principal Investigator, Michael Malin. The picture was taken during testing that occurred at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as the camera was being electrically integrated with the MSL rover. To acquire this image, Mike Malin had to lay on the floor beneath the rover.

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems

This MARDI image was taken in July 2008 in the Building 306 Low Bay Cleanroom at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This image was acquired during the post-outgassing test checkout, a part of the process of delivering MARDI to JPL. Once the MARDI passed this test, it was put into storage until the rover engineers installed the camera head on the MSL rover.

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems

This image was acquired in the Malin Space Science Systems cleanroom during MARDI calibration testing in June 2008. It shows the MARDI Deputy Principal Investigator, Ken Edgett, holding a six-foot metal ruler that was used as a depth of field test target. The other hand holding the ruler, on the right, is that of the MARDI Principal Investigator, Michael Malin. The MARDI is focused at 7 m, so that everything between about 2 m (6.6 feet) and infinity are in focus. This image shows a slightly out-of-focus rock (a rounded cobble of Icelandic basalt with mm-scale crystals and vesicles) at a distance of about 70 cm, 2.3 feet), equivalent to the distance MARDI will be from the ground after the rover has landed.

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems