Tag Archives: Mars Science Laboratory

Curiosity update: Clear vistas on Mars

Posted on March 8, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1986, March 8, 2018, update by MSL scientist Roger Wiens: Seasons make a big difference for Mars vistas. Tosol Mars is at solar longitude 139, meaning that it is halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox in the southern … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: After the drive…

Posted on March 8, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1985, March 7, 2018. In two drives on this sol, Curiosity traveled in reverse to the northeast a distance of about 29 meters (95 feet). The Navcam composite above was taken after the drive was complete. It shows (near … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Tough rock, and the Phyllosilicate Trough, part 2

Posted on March 7, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1984, March 6, 2018. Tough rock ended Curiosity’s second drilling attempt, which produced only a shallow hole and a small tailings pile, seen in the MAHLI image above. At right, a Hazcam image shows both Lake Orcadie drill holes. … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: How hard is a rock?

Posted on March 7, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1985, March 6, 2018, update by MSL scientist Roger Wiens: Last week when the first Vera Rubin Ridge drill-hole attempts turned out to be too shallow at “Lake Orcadie”, discussion in the team turned to the question of, “How … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Searching for softer pastures

Posted on March 6, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1984, March 5, 2018, update by MSL scientist Scott Guzewich: Vera Rubin Ridge is as hard as a rock! After two drilling attempts, Curiosity’s drill was not able to dig into the bedrock sufficiently to collect a sample of … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Drill tailings and Phyllosilicate Trough outcrops

Posted on March 5, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1981, March 3, 2018. Curiosity aimed the ChemCam’s Remote Micro-Imager into the Phyllosilicate Trough to document outcrops that may become future targets. At right, a Hazcam image from Sol 1983 (March 5) showing the drill tailing piles from Lake … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Second sample acquisition attempt

Posted on March 3, 2018 by rburnham

Sols 1981-83, March 2, 2018, update by MSL scientist Ken Herkenhoff: All of the data returned for the second drill target, called “Lake Orcadie 2,” support the decision to attempt to acquire sample at that location using feed-extended drilling. So … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Back to science

Posted on March 2, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1980, March 1, 2018, update by MSL scientist Rachel Kronyak: Today, Sol 1980, we’re taking a break from drilling activities to continue with our remote science campaign at our current location. We have three science blocks in today’s plan, … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Mars strikes back

Posted on March 1, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1979, February 28, 2018, update by MSL scientist Scott Guzewich: It is an exciting time for the Curiosity team. Although the drill was able to create a hole, Mars stubbornly refused to let the drill reach a depth where … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Examining drill tailings

Posted on March 1, 2018 by rburnham

Sol 1978, February 28, 2018, update by MSL scientist Ken Herkenhoff: The tactical planning schedule was delayed by 2 hours today so that we would have the latest data from Sol 1977 available for planning. When the data arrived, it … Continue reading →

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