MISSION UPDATES | December 3, 2013

Sol 472-473 Update On Curiosity From USGS Scientist Ken Herkenhoff: Watching the Wheels

Written by Ken Herkenhoff, Planetary Geologist at USGS Astrogeology Science Center

The drive planned for last weekend went well, so another drive is planned for Sol 472, along with targeted remote science and MAHLI imaging of the rover wheels. Such images of the wheels are now planned more frequently, to assess possible changes in the tears in the wheels. While the arm is deployed, contact science is also planned for Sol 472. Planning is still restricted, so we won't be able to drive again until Sol 474, and untargeted remote science is planned for Sol 473. I'm MAHLI/MARDI uplink lead for Sol 473 planning, with not much to do because the normal post-drive MAHLI and MARDI images are already planned for Sol 472.