MISSION UPDATES | March 18, 2015

Sols 930-931: Arm Science

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

The MAHLI team was well prepared for contact
science today, but had to scramble to react to news early this morning
that the right front wheel is perched on a small rock and therefore is
not in a safe position for arm contact with the surface.
We had originally planned to brush a potential APXS target with the
Dust Removal Tool (DRT) and take MAHLI images of the brushed spot. But
the DRT activity had to be deleted, and MAHLI reconnaissance imaging of
another potential APXS target added to the plan.
This made for a hectic morning for me and the other MAHLI uplink leads,
but we are happy with how the plan turned out. On Sol 930, ChemCam and
Mastcam will observe an outcrop target named "Swasey" before the arm
will be used to acquire MAHLI images of the
bright and dark rocks shown in the lower left part of this image .
These MAHLI images will be useful in planning future scientific
observations. The APXS will then be placed close to a dark patch for
overnight integration. None of
the MAHLI or APXS activities includes surface contact, so they are safe even
with the rock under the right front wheel. Early on the morning of Sol
931, the left Navcam will be used to search for dust devils and clouds
as part of an ongoing experiment to determine
how these atmospheric phenomena vary with time of day. Mastcam images
of the terrain ahead are planned around noon,
followed by MAHLI imaging of another APXS target late in the afternoon.
Then the APXS will hover near the surface for another overnight
integration. Planning is "restricted" this week, so the next tactical planning will occur on Friday. by Ken Herkenhoff 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.