Curiosity update: ‘Completing mobility tests’

Sol 1183, December 3, 2015, update from USGS scientist Ken Herkenhoff: Today we are planning the last sol of the mobility test, turning and backing out of the sand while taking multiple Hazcam images, then pausing to take Navcam and Mastcam images of the wheel tracks.  But first, Mastcam will take multispectral images of a rock named “Narabeb” and a soil target dubbed “Kubib.”  The right Mastcam will also acquire another 2×2 mosaic of Secomib, to look for changes in the trench wall, and image the spots where the APXS was placed on the sand.  The biggest challenge for me as SOWG Chair today was to prioritize the post-drive data, as the volume of data expected to be received in time for planning tomorrow is smaller than usual.  We’re hoping that the rover will drive close enough to “High Dune” to allow contact science on the dark dune… [More at link]