Tag Archives: MSL

Curiosity update: Kicking up some sand

Posted on July 10, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1748-52, July 7, 2017, update by MSL scientist Michael Battalio: Curiosity has intentionally scuffed a nearby sand ripple, which has gifted the team with an exceptional view of the interior of these small sand deposits. The majority of the … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Rolling over a ripple

Posted on July 7, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1748, July 7, 2017.  Curiosity rolled one wheel across a sand ripple, as scientists sought to see what its interior structure might be (above). At right, the views from the front and rear Hazcams. (Click any image to enlarge … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Bumping to a sand ripple

Posted on July 7, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1748, July 6, 2017, update by MSL scientist Ken Herkenhoff: Another touch-and-go was strategically planned for today, and there is bedrock in the arm workspace, so the tactical science team selected a block named “Tupper Ledge” for contact science. … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Martian fruit salad

Posted on July 6, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1747, July 5, 2017, update by MSL scientist Scott Guzewich: As is typical for Curiosity lately, today we planned a “touch-and-go” suite of activities for the rover. Today I served as the Science Operations Working Group Chair. A high … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Ridge skyline above, sand below

Posted on July 6, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1747, July 6, 2017. Three Navcam frames capture the skyline of Vera Rubin Ridge, as Curiosity drives east to circle around a rippled patch of sand (see below) that spreads roughly 70 meters (230 feet) wide. (Click either image … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Lots of layers in Vera Rubin Ridge

Posted on July 5, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1745, July 4, 2017: Two 10-frame mosaics with the Remote Micro-Imager show the fine layering and details of two sections of Vera Rubin Ridge. Click either image to enlarge it. Sol 1745 raw images (from all cameras), and Curiosity’s … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Rounding a corner of Vera Rubin Ridge

Posted on June 30, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1741, June 29, 2017. As Curiosity drives eastward — 12 meters (39 feet) on this sol — it is getting a better look at a portion of Vera Rubin Ridge which was somewhat turned away from the rover’s initial … Continue reading →

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Algorithm helps protect Curiosity’s wheels

Posted on June 29, 2017 by rburnham

There are no mechanics on Mars, so the next best thing for NASA’s Curiosity rover is careful driving. A new algorithm is helping the rover do just that. The software, referred to as traction control, adjusts the speed of Curiosity’s … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Cat Sized Island

Posted on June 29, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1741-43, June 28, 2017, update by MSL scientist Mark Salvatore: Last evening (June 27) between 8pm and 9pm PDT, Curiosity drove approximately 34 meters to the east to position herself just north of a large field of ripples on … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Rocks and sand rise toward the ridge

Posted on June 28, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1739, June 28, 2017. Curiosity’s Navcam has captured the ground leading up to Vera Rubin Ridge and also Mt. Sharp rising in the distance behind. The rover is driving eastward, perhaps to go around the sand patch seen at … Continue reading →

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