The rover bump went well, and the selected drill target is within reach.
The rover bump went well, and the selected drill target is within reach. So the science team started planning various observations of the target, including MAHLI and APXS, to document its chemical composition and morphology before drilling. However, there were enough concerns about the rover slipping during arm activities that the MAHLI and APXS observations were removed from the plan. More data, needed to confirm that the rover is stable, are expected this afternoon. Hopefully, analysis of these data will show that it is safe to proceed with contact science.
Written by Ken Herkenhoff, Planetary Geologist at USGS Astrogeology Science Center
