Mars rover Curiosity has been busy exploring the Red Planet for over a year now, and today marks a significant milestone in its journey. On Sol 1215, the rover traveled 67 meters towards its next destination: the Namib Dune sampling site.
The desired location for sampling can be seen clearly in the Navcam image captured above, located in the middle of the dunes. The plan for today includes another drive to reach the designated spot and prepare for “scuffing” – using a rover wheel to dig a small transect in the sand.
The science activities planned for today are just as exciting as the exploration itself. ChemCam and Mastcam observations will analyze the composition and opacity of the atmosphere, while a Mastcam observation will monitor any movements in the sand. Once these observations are completed, Curiosity will drive to a location within 5-6 meters of the intended sampling spot.
Excitement is building among team members as they anticipate tomorrow’s upcoming sampling and scuffing activities. These operations are scheduled for tomorrow and Friday, promising to be a busy and productive time for everyone involved in Curiosity’s mission on Mars.
As we continue to follow this fascinating mission, it’s clear that Curiosity is making groundbreaking discoveries about our neighboring planet every day. With so much more to explore, who knows what amazing findings await us next?