Once again, the Sol 1303 drive stopped during wheel steering, apparently due to another short in the RTG.
Once again, the Sol 1303 drive stopped during wheel steering, apparently
due to another short in the RTG. While the power and mobility
engineers investigate the fault and ways to respond to them, another
drive will be attempted on Sol 1305. The remote science observations
made on Sol 1303 went well, so only one ChemCam/Mastcam observation is
planned before the Sol 1305 drive, of a rock with interesting surface
texture dubbed "Katwitwi." Early on Sol 1306, Navcam, Mastcam and ChemCam will
look for clouds and dust devils, and measure the amount of dust and
various gasses in the atmosphere. Later that sol, Mastcam will observe
the Sun again and Navcam will acquire a panorama of the rover deck to
look for changes in the distribution of dust and debris. Overnight, CheMin will analyze and empty sample cell to improve instrument calibration.
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
