After drivingjust over 20 meters, the rover stopped 4.4
After driving
just over 20 meters, the rover stopped 4.4 meters short of the Sol 1049
drive goal because the vehicle pitch exceeded the 15-degree limit set by
the rover drivers. So another 6.4-meter drive toward the bright
outcrop of interest, dubbed “Lion,”
was planned for Sol 1051. That drive completed successfully,
providing a good view of the outcrop .
ChemCam and Mastcam observed the sand ripple “Agency” and bedrock target ” Mullan “
before the Sol 1051 drive. Now that the Lion outcrop is within LIBS
range, ChemCam and Mastcam observations of it are planned for Sol 1053,
specifically targets named “Sorrel Springs” and “Buckskin.” A nearby
rock called “Hewolf” will also be observed before
the rover drives closer to the Lion outcrop. Hopefully the rover will
be in position for contact science on the outcrop this weekend. The Sol
1054 plan is much less complex, with a Navcam search for clouds above
the rover and ChemCam calibration activities.
The vehicle should be recharged and ready for a busy weekend plan!
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
