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Sol 1428: Downlink limited

MSL drove 11 meters on Sol 1427, and a longer drive is planned for
Sol 1428. I helped select ChemCam targets today; the number of possible
science observations was constrained by the time available before the
drive, so only one LIBS measurement is planned, on a bedrock target
southeast of the rover
named "Xangongo." Mastcam will image this target as well, and measure
the amount of dust in the atmosphere. The amount of data we expect to
receive in time for planning tomorrow
is more limited than usual, so we are unlikely to receive enough
post-drive data to plan both contact science and a drive this weekend.
The tactical team decided that driving has higher priority, so critical
post-drive imaging is focused on supporting mobility planning.
Overnight, CheMin will perform another analysis of the Marimba drill
sample, to improve the quality of mineralogical data.

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