Unveiling Unaltered Mars: A Scientific Pursuit through the GSTL Drill

As the GSTL today, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to drill a new sample on Mars. Our plan for the day involved not only the main drill activities but also several targeted science blocks. These blocks would help us characterize the drill location and search for potential drill sites on unaltered Stimson bedrock.

During our second sol, we began with a science block consisting of Mastcam multispectral characterization of the drill hole, followed by creating several Mastcam mosaics. The color information provided by Mastcam is vital in distinguishing between altered and unaltered bedrock. We also planned to assess a fracture that cuts across an impact crater using a small mosaic. Additionally, we scheduled ChemCam targets to assess the block we were drilling and potential future sites.

One of our main goals for the second sol was to assess unaltered Stimson bedrock with an additional target. We were excited about the possibility of discovering more about the Martian terrain and are hopeful for a successful drilling campaign.