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Sol 167 Update on Curiosity from USGS Scientist Ken Herkenhoff: Ready to Drill


We have arrived at John Klein , the location selected for the first use of the drill! There are multiple potential drill targets in front of the rover, which must be flat as well as scientifically interesting . The Sol 167 plan includes a MAHLI mosaic of the area that can be reached by the drill, to allow more precise selection of drill targets. Also planned are higher-resolution MAHLI and APXS observations of the top two drill targets, and RMI images of the drill tip. Because the rover will be in this location for several weeks while the drill is being tested and we hope used to deliver samples to SAM and CheMin, we are also acquiring a full Navcam panorama to enable Mastcam and ChemCam observations of the surrounding terrain to be accurately pointed.

Written by Ken Herkenhoff, Planetary Geologist at USGS Astrogeology Science Center