Curiosity update: Less driving, more science

NLB_555961217EDR_F0650436NCAM00269M_-br2Sol 1787, August 15, 2017, update by MSL scientist Michael Battalio: I had a busy day as the ESTLK.  At the start of operations, we discovered that the drive yestersol faulted prematurely after about only 15 m, which was roughly half the expected distance.  The drive halted because one of the middle wheels experienced a large up and down motion as if going over a large rock.  Due to the short distance since the last contact science and the uncertain nature of the stability of the terrain at Curiosity’s position, arm activities were ruled out due to the possibility of the rover shifting during arm motion.  Thus, a possible touch and go plan was scaled back to only a drive away from the faulted position.  This opened up a lot of science time, particularly for ENV.

ENV planned a late afternoon supra-horizon movie (SHM) and a zenith cloud movie.  The SHM is pointed just above the horizon due north so is sun-safe all day, but the zenith movie must be captured… [More at link]

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