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Sol 1543: Motor controller fault

The
Sol 1542 drill diagnostics did not complete as intended, and as a
consequence, neither did some of the later science activities.
Therefore, those tests and
activities from Sol 1542 will be planned again on Sol 1543. But
first, ChemCam will shoot its laser at a target near Hunters Beach,
called "Bracy Cove," and at the bright layers just above The Anvil .
Late in the afternoon, ChemCam will perform a routine observation of its
titanium calibration target, the Left Mastcam will acquire a 5x1 mosaic
of "Squid Cove," and the Rear Hazcam will take another image to look for
changes due to winds. Overnight, SAM will perform an Opportunistic
Derivitization experiment on a sample from Cumberland that we’ve been
carrying since early in the landed mission. This
experiment has been some time in
the making and should improve SAM's ability to characterize the organic
molecules within that sample. Early in the morning of Sol 1544, Navcam
will search for clouds and dust devils, Mastcam will measure dust in
the atmosphere, and both cameras will re-attempt the photometry observations
that were planned yesterday.

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