Curiosity update: ‘Test drill and drive’

Sol 1048-1050, July 17, 2015, update from USGS scientist Ken Herkenhoff: The Sol 1046 wheel imaging completed nominally, and the rover is a little over 1 meter from its previous location.  So the outcrop to the right of the vehicle is still close enough for ChemCam LIBS measurements, and I helped select new targets again today.  The Sol 1048 plan includes ChemCam and Mastcam observations of “Pinto,” “Palomino,” and “Burnt Point” plus a Navcam search for clouds toward the north.  Then the arm will be deployed for drill testing and CHIMRA maintenance activities in preparation for the next drill activity.  We are interested in sampling the bright rocks east of the rover… [More at link]