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Sols 3165-3166: This Rover is BUMPIN’!

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NASA Science Editorial Team

Jun 30, 2021
Article

In the previous plan, Curiosity “bumped” to a nearby location that was identified as a potentially good spot for our next drilling campaign.

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This black and white image was taken by Front Hazard Avoidance Camera (Front Hazcam) onboard NASA's Mars rover Curiosity on Sol 3163. It shows the rocky surface of Mars.

In the previous plan, Curiosity “bumped” to a nearby location that was identified as a potentially good spot for our next drilling campaign. Unfortunately, even though the bump was successful, we found we wouldn’t be able to drill our desired targets from the current rover position. So to ensure that we can perform the best science possible, Curiosity will make another small bump to reorient herself for the upcoming drilling operations. While this decision delays our drilling plans for another few days, it ensures that the team will get the best possible results from this drilling campaign, which is of the most importance.

Before this second bump, Curiosity will brush off a nearby rock surface named “Colombier," collect chemistry data using the APXS instrument, and image that target using the multispectral capabilities of Mastcam. We will also acquire ChemCam LIBS chemistry data from a target named “Chourgnac," which is located in front of the rover. Chourgnac is a large rock with one side exposed towards the rover, giving the science team a glimpse at the three-dimensional structure of the local bedrock in this area. Following the ChemCam observation, Mastcam will acquire a large mosaic of this block to help us to understand the nature of the subsurface structure, as well as the presence and distribution of nodule and vein features. The environmental team will then acquire several atmospheric observations to round out the plan.

In the next planning cycle, the team hopes to be in a good position to drill the same block that the Colombier target is located on. These drill efforts will begin over the weekend and extend into next week.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and safe Fourth of July holiday in the US!

Written by Mark Salvatore, Planetary Geologist at University of Michigan