MISSION UPDATES | March 29, 2017

Sol 1652: CheMin drop-off and SAM Analysis

Written by Lauren Edgar, Planetary Geologist at USGS Astrogeology Science Center

Sol 1651 activities executed nominally, so today’s plan is focused on dropping off the fine-grained portion of "Ogunquit Beach" Scoop #1 (now named "OG1") to CheMin, and SAM analysis of OG1. The plan kicks off with Mastcam multispectral imaging of the right and left wheel scuffs, as well as Mastcam change detection imaging. Then ChemCam will investigate "Tumbledown Mountain," "Elephant Mountain" and "Canoe Point," to characterize the composition of sand in different parts of the left wheel scuff. Navcam will also acquire an image to look at line-of-sight dust loading within the crater. Later in the afternoon, part of the OG1 sample will be dropped off to CheMin. Curiosity will stay busy overnight, with a SAM solid sample evolved gas experiment to analyze the fine-grained portion of OG1. I’m busy on the other side of the planet working operations for the Opportunity rover today, but it’s fun to hear many members of both rover teams jumping back and forth between telecons to help plan lots of great science activities for our hardworking robots.

By Lauren Edgar

--Lauren is a Research Geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of the MSL science team.

Dates of planned rover activities described in these reports are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.