MSL did well over thelong weekend, except that the Sol 1098 drive was halted after 13 metersof the planned 25 meters because the rover could not confirm that thepath ahead was safe.
MSL did well over the
long weekend, except that the Sol 1098 drive was halted after 13 meters
of the planned 25 meters because the rover could not confirm that the
path ahead was safe. So the plan for the Sol
1099 drive is essentially to complete the rest of the
previously planned drive. The only significant problem I’ve had to
grapple with today as SOWG Chair is that the last 5 relays of data
through MRO have returned significantly less data than expected; if
this problem continues, we will barely receive enough data to plan
another drive on Sol 1100. Fortunately, the MRO team understands the
problem and knows how to correct it, and there is a good chance that we
will receive all the data we need in time for planning
tomorrow
morning. This situation reminds me of how much we depend on the Mars
orbiters and the teams that operate them, and to thank them for their
continued support of the MSL mission.
Before the Sol 1099
drive, we have time to acquire ChemCam and Mastcam observations of
“Mission Creek” and “Chamberlain,” plus MastCam mosaics of ” Bridger
Basin ,”
“Hackley Point,” and “Police Creek.” The rover will wake up early on
the morning of Sol 1100 to acquire a big stereo mosaic of the far wall
of Bridger Basin, because the illumination will be better early in the
morning. Mastcam will also take a 360-degree
panorama with the left camera.
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
