As I assumed my role as the GSTL once again today, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. Our mission was to drill a new sample on Mars, and the plan for the day was meticulously crafted. In addition to the main drill activities, we also had several targeted science blocks in store.
The first science block on our second sol involved Mastcam multispectral characterization of the drill hole, followed by several Mastcam mosaics. The color information provided by Mastcam proved incredibly useful in distinguishing between altered and unaltered bedrock. We also planned to shoot several ChemCam targets to assess the block we were drilling into, as well as potential sites for future drilling.
But that wasn’t all – we also had an additional target planned to assess the unaltered Stimson bedrock. With all these activities lined up, we were hopeful for a successful drilling campaign. As I stood there watching the team work diligently, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride knowing that our efforts were helping us better understand this incredible planet.
