MISSION UPDATES | May 17, 2021

Sols 3122-3123: Smooth Planning, but Not the Rocks!

Written by Lucy Thompson, Planetary Geologist at University of New Brunswick
Close-up MAHI image taken from ~5 cm above the erosion-resistant target “Salagnac,” acquired in our previous workspace on Sol 3119. This was also an APXS target.

Close-up MAHI image taken from ~5 cm above the erosion-resistant target “Salagnac,” acquired in our previous workspace on Sol 3119. This was also an APXS target. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS. Download image ›

In contrast to the last time I contributed a blog, today was a smooth planning session. Our weekend science activities and drive executed flawlessly and the workspace was dominated by bedrock. A significant proportion of the surface was rough-textured with small, wind-resistant knobs and bumps, as well as larger resistant areas associated with veins that cross-cut the bedrock. We have been seeing a lot of these more erosion-resistant features on and around Mont Mercou. We aim to utilize Curiosity’s instrument suite to fully characterize the smoother bedrock and resistant features as we continue to climb Mount Sharp and transition into the sulfate-bearing unit identified from orbit.

As the APXS strategic planner I was ready to suggest targets for investigation with our instrument (for composition) and for close-up imaging with MAHLI. We chose “Parcoul” a darker, resistant area associated with a vein. It will be interesting to see if it has the same composition as the recent bedrock, or if it appears to have been altered as a result of later fluid-flow associated with the vein. ChemCam will acquire a LIBS observation to determine the chemistry of the nearby bumpy bedrock target “Millevache” as a comparison.

In order to further document the workspace textures, Mastcam images of the targets “Millevache,” “Dussac” and “Doissat” will also be acquired. Before driving away from this location (~40 m), ChemCam will also image the more distant “Thonac” target with its RMI to look for layering, textures and sedimentary structures associated with this butte, forming part of the sulfate-bearing unit.

After the drive, Curiosity will take the standard suite of images to document the new workspace and drive direction, as well as a MARDI image of the terrain immediately beneath the rover wheels. Environmental monitoring will include taking Navcam images to monitor dust activity in the atmosphere and to investigate dust devil activity. Standard RAD, REMS and DAN activities round out this plan.

A final note, welcome to Mars Zhurong! Wishing you relatively smooth and successful roving!