The rover Curiosity is currently back at Missoula to conduct more targeted science. Its main goal is to study the Stimson-Pahrump contact in detail and determine the relative timing of some of the observed veins. The upcoming three-sol plan is packed with ChemCam analyses, which will help the rover better understand the chemistry at the contact.
On Sol 1068, Curiosity will use its ChemCam LIBS instrument to analyze four different “Missoula” targets (Missoula A, B, C, and D) to gain a deeper understanding of the chemistry at the contact. Mastcam images will also be taken to document these targets.
After completing its investigations with ChemCam, Curiosity will resume its drive through Marias Pass on Sol 1070 and capture post-drive images in preparation for science activities next week. On this day, the rover will perform a ChemCam passive observation on the target “Coombs” and a regular ChemCam LIBS observation on the target “Stenerson.” Additionally, environmental monitoring activities will be conducted over the weekend to check the opacity of the atmosphere and search for dust devils.
Lauren Edgar, a Research Geologist at USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of MSL science team provided this update about Curiosity’s drive on Sol 1067 that was successful with 19 m drive. She stated that due to various factors related to Martian environment, communication relays and rover’s status dates mentioned in these reports are subject to change.
