Sols 905-907: Testing “Telegraph Peak”

The latest "bump"
placed the rover in a good position for detailed study of the outcrop of
interest, as we all hoped. The plan that
will take the rover through the weekend is, in the words of the SOWG
Chair Doug Ming, "jam-packed" with science observations. The MSL
tactical team is focused on examination of an outcrop target called
"Telegraph Peak" to determine whether it is suitable
for drilling. On Sol 905, MAHLI will take pictures of Telegraph Peak
before it is cleaned off by the brush. Mastcam and ChemCam will then
observe the brushed target before the arm is used to acquire a full
suite of MAHLI images, two APXS measurements, and
test the strength of the target by pushing the drill assembly against
it. Finally, the APXS will be placed on Telegraph Peak again for
overnight integrations. In parallel, starting around midnight, SAM will perform a static test of its quadrupole mass spectrometer.

The next morning, the arm will be moved out of the
way to allow ChemCam and Mastcam observations of nearby targets "Brazer"
and "Crazy Hollow." Later in the afternoon, when lighting will be
better for some distant targets, Mastcam will
acquire a couple of mosaics. Just after sunset, now that the rover is in a
new location, MARDI will acquire an image of the ground near the left
front wheel. Only a few activities are planned for Sol 907, including
another Mastcam mosaic and a Navcam search for
dust devils, to allow the rover's batteries to recharge in preparation
for possible drilling on Sol 908.

Dates of planned rover activities described in these reports are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.

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