| RAT Rock Abrasion Tool |
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| The surface of Mars experiences many dust storms, which often cover surface rocks with layers of fine dust. Rocks that are on the surface are also exposed to the atmosphere, which sometimes chemically changes the surface of the rocks, giving them a weathered appearance. The RAT tool is used by the NASA Rovers on Mars to clean/remove the surface of rocks so that scientists can tell the physical and chemical makeup of the unweathered rock beneath. |
| Although not as powerful, our RAT tool works in a similar way. The abrasion surface can be lowered onto the surface of a rock. Then it is rotated similar to a drill to scrape off the outer surfaces of the rock, removing surface sand. |