Up and Over - Curiosity Is Heading East: Sol 3857
by Sharon Wilson, Planetary Geologist at Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Pasadena CA (JPL) Jun 14, 2023

Earth planning date: Monday, June 12, 2023. Curiosity has been diligently driving uphill through a canyon but the terrain right near the crest has proven to be challenging due to a combination of steep slopes, bumpy bedrock, and fine-grained sand. Not to be deterred, the rover is taking advantage of a slightly different route to the east that will allow her to ascend out of the canyon onto flatter terrain.

During science operations I served as the "Keeper Of the Plan," or KOP, for the geology (GEO) theme group. The GEO KOP uses a science activity planner software program called MSLICE, which was specifically created for the Mars Science Laboratory rover. MSLICE allows us to create and name targets of interest and generate detailed plans of observations and activities for the rover to execute on Mars.

The science team today planned a series of targeted remote science observations followed by a drive. ChemCam and Mastcam will document the chemistry of "Ananas Berg," a rock in our workspace with an interesting layered and bumpy texture. The rover will use the Mastcam instrument to expand an existing image mosaic that captures the terrain in the direction of our new driving route, and includes an interesting quasi-circular sand-filled depression on the flank of the slope. After completing some calibration activities for the ChemCam instrument, Curiosity will drive about 10 meters to the east.

On sol 3858 we have a classic "split touch and go" plan lined up for Curiosity (where we "split" the arm activities around the remote science activities before driving in the afternoon) and also plan to brush a rock in the workspace using the Dust Removal Tool (DRT).

Drive safely, Curiosity - we will see you tomorrow!

Related Links
Curiosity Mars Science Laboratory
Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com
Lunar Dreams and more