On Sol 2256, our team was eager to begin contact science and drilling on Mars. However, the terrain in our workspace proved once again unsuitable for drilling. We set out to find a new drill target area and tried our luck at a third candidate location called “Region C.”
Our plan for the day included a science block before driving to Region C. During this time, we collected ChemCam data on two targets, “Sandy Haven” and “Tarness Haven,” and used Mastcam to create a multispectral mosaic to assess color variations that would guide us in finding the best red Jura location for drilling. The environmental team also conducted Navcam observations to monitor the atmosphere, capturing a line of sight image and a dust devil movie.
As we drove towards Region C, we stopped halfway to assess the upcoming terrain with Mastcam and Navcam imaging. Once we reached our final parking spot, we took additional images to evaluate the ground in front of us. These images helped us decide whether we should drill at Region C or continue our search for the ideal red Jura location. We are hopeful that this third attempt will be successful, so stay tuned for updates on our progress.
