Mars Drilling Mission Takes a Turn: The Search Continues

On Sol 2256, the team was filled with optimism as they prepared for a productive day of contact science and drilling on Mars. However, their hopes were quickly dashed as they discovered that the workspace was once again unsuitable for drilling. Despite two failed attempts, the team remained hopeful and set their sights on a new drill target known as “Region C.”

The plan for Sol 2256 included a science block before driving towards Region C. During this block, ChemCam data was collected on targets “Sandy Haven” and “Tarness Haven,” along with a Mastcam multispectral mosaic to assess color variations. Additionally, the environmental group monitored the atmosphere with Navcam observations, including a line of sight image and a dust devil movie.

As Curiosity began its drive towards Region C, planned stops were made for Mastcam and Navcam imaging to assess the terrain along the way. Once reaching the final parking spot, additional images were taken to determine if drilling at Region C was feasible or if the search for suitable drilling locations would continue.

Despite the challenges presented by Mars, the team remained optimistic that this time would indeed be the charm as they continued their exploration of the red planet. Stay tuned for updates on their progress!