As the lead of the Opportunity Microscopic Imager and engineering cameras (Hazcams and Navcams), I have had the challenge of operating two rovers on Mars simultaneously. While it’s been a good problem to have, it has been difficult to closely follow MSL planning as a result.
The upcoming weekend plan for MSL includes imaging of the rover wheels and a short drive to a promising location for dumping and examining the drill sample. If everything goes smoothly, most of next week will be dedicated to upgrading the rover flight software.
Luckily, this timing coincides with the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco next week. This means that many MSL scientists will be in attendance, making it an ideal time for the software upgrade. However, this upgrade will require suspending scientific observations temporarily.
During the meeting, there will be a press briefing to highlight recent science findings and discoveries made by the rovers on Mars. It’s exciting to see what new information they uncover and how it can enhance our understanding of this fascinating planet.