Mars Curiosity is currently investigating a change zone around a fracture on the planet. The plan for today includes drilling a small test hole, also known as a “mini-start hole,” to ensure safety before committing to a full drill hole. The target for drilling, named “Pilgrim,” was selected and is located in the center of a Mastcam image. In addition to drilling, today’s plan includes MAHLI imaging of “Pilgrim” both before and after the process. The team will also place the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) over the target for analysis overnight. Measurements will be taken by the Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons (DAN), Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD), and Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS). Despite constraints on data volume and power, the team has put together a comprehensive plan for the day.
For tomorrow, the plan is focused on further characterizing the target using both the Mastcam and ChemCam instruments. As the Geology Science Theme Lead (GSTL) for tomorrow, there is excitement about what could be discovered from this science block. The team will continue to gather valuable data to deepen our understanding of the Martian environment.
