Tag Archives: Old Soaker

Curiosity update: Why are we cracking up?

Posted on March 19, 2019 by rburnham

Sols 2352-53, March 19, 2019, update by MSL scientist Dawn Sumner: Today was a fun, busy day to plan. Curiosity finally made the drive to a rock called “Muir of Ord,” which has a cracked surface. The science team is … Continue reading →

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Mud cracks help reveal the shape of water on Mars

Posted on April 20, 2018 by rburnham

As Curiosity rover marches across Mars, the red planet’s watery past comes into clearer focus. In early 2017 scientists announced the discovery of possible desiccation cracks in Gale Crater, which was filled by lakes 3.5 billion years ago. Now, a … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: More rocks out the front window

Posted on April 18, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1671, April 17, 2017, update by ChemCam Principal Investigator Roger Wiens: Today I covered the ChemCam Payload Element Lead (PEL) role for this first Monday after Easter. Normally the ChemCam team starts Mondays with a telephone tag-up as we hand over operations … Continue reading →

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Curiosity: Possible mud cracks at Old Soaker

Posted on January 18, 2017 by rburnham

Scientists used NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover in recent weeks to examine slabs of rock cross-hatched with shallow ridges that likely originated as cracks in drying mud. “Mud cracks are the most likely scenario here,” said Curiosity science team member Nathan … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Leaving Old Soaker

Posted on January 6, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1571, January 5, 2017, update by USGS scientist Ken Herkenhoff: The investigation of Old Soaker continues to go well, so we’re planning to drive away on Sol 1571. But first, ChemCam and Right Mastcam will observe darker bedrock patches … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Finishing up at Old Soaker

Posted on January 6, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1570, January 4, 2017, update by USGS scientist Ken Herkenhoff: The focus of the Sol 1570 plan is to finish our work at Old Soaker.  The APXS will be retracted and the arm moved out of the way for … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Back to daily planning

Posted on January 4, 2017 by rburnham

Sol 1569, January 3, 2017, update by USGS scientist Ken Herkenhoff: The MSL operations team is back at work after the holiday break, planning Sol 1569.  The activities planned for the holidays executed well, so we are proceeding with the … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Preparing for the holidays

Posted on December 22, 2016 by rburnham

Sol 1566-68, December 21, 2016, update by USGS scientist Lauren Edgar: Today was our last tactical planning day before the team takes a break over the holidays.  But that doesn’t mean that Curiosity will be resting!  A group of science … Continue reading →

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Curiosity update: Lots of targets!

Posted on December 20, 2016 by rburnham

Sol 1555-57, December 19, 2016, update by USGS scientist Ryan Anderson: Our short drive over the weekend went well, and we are now at a new location with plenty of science targets to choose from. It’s been quite a while … Continue reading →

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