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This morning the MSL science team used all of the
available data to decide whether to approach one of the nearby outcrops
or drive away. Ultimately we decided to approach the closer of the
large outcrops in front of the rover
to set up for contact science this weekend. Planning is still
"restricted," so we planned two sols of activities today. ChemCam and
Mastcam will observe a nearby rock named "Helena," and the RMI will
image a distant target dubbed "Lolo" on the morning of
Sol 971. Then MAHLI will acquire a set of images of the wheels to
track wear before the rover drives a few meters toward the selected
outcrop. Overnight, CheMin will analyze the sample cell that was
recently emptied to confirm that no material remains in
the cell. On Sol 972, ChemCam will acquire calibration data, and
Navcam will search for clouds. Finally, SAM will perform an instrument
maintenance activity overnight. By Ken Herkenhoff 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