Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Pre-drill brushing. Curiosity Mars Hand Lens Imager photo produced on Sol 3054, March 10, 2021.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover has just begun performing Sol 3055 tasks.

Reports Kristen Bennett, a planetary geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona: “Curiosity is ready to go ahead with the first drill of 2021!”

Curiosity Front Hazard Avoidance Camera Left B image taken on Sol 3054, March 10, 2021.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Mars scientists have started planning preliminary observations of the potential drill location called “Nontron.” This includes Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) imaging and Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) integrations, a Chemistry and Camera (ChemCam) passive observation, and Mastcam multispectral images of Nontron.

Curiosity Left B Navigation Camera photo acquired on Sol 3054, March 10, 2021.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

“This plan also includes a drill preload test to prepare for the drill procedure,” Bennett adds. “After collecting this wealth of data at Nontron, we anticipate moving forward with the full drill in the next plan.”

Mast Camera Right images acquired on Sol 3051, March 6, 2021.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Cliff face observations

The newly scripted plan is also packed with non-drill related activities.

“The rover is parked near the Mont Mercou cliff face, a towering outcrop that gives us a great view of the sedimentary structures that are present. The plan includes a ChemCam passive observation and a Mastcam multispectral mosaic of part of the outcrop, called ‘La Coquille,’ to investigate the chemistry and any potential color variations,” Bennett explains.

Curosity Left B Navigation Camera image taken on Sol 3052, March 8, 2021.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

There is an additional Mastcam mosaic that covers several blocks of bedrock at the base of the La Coquille outcrop. This group of blocks inspired one science team member to name this target “La Madeleine,” similar to the children’s book.

Bennett flags the science team’s take on the story:

On an outcrop on Mars all covered with veins

Were twelve little rocks in two straight lines

This target is called La Madeleine!

Taking in the twilight

Curiosity is also slated to look towards the sky.

“The plan includes a Mastcam mosaic taken at twilight to monitor clouds in the evening sky. Additionally, a ChemCam passive sky observation has been coordinated with measurements from the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter spacecraft,” Bennett says. “This joint observation will be used to compare what the ground-based rover observes in the sky with what the spacecraft sees from orbit.”