Curiositys View of Paraitepuy Pass: NASAs Curiosity Mars rover utilized its Mast Camera, or Mastcam, to capture this panorama while driving towards the center of this scene, an area that forms the narrow “Paraitepuy Pass” on Aug. 14, the 3,563 rd Martian day, or sol, of the objective. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
Years prior to Curiosity landed in 2012, the minerals were found by NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, so scientists have been waiting a long period of time to see this surface up close. Right after arriving, the rover found a diverse variety of rock types and indications of previous water, among them salted minerals and popcorn-textured nodules such as magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt is one kind), calcium sulfate (including gypsum), and sodium chloride (normal salt).
They chose a rock nicknamed “Canaima” for the missions 36th drill sample, and picking was no easy job. In addition to scientific considerations, the team had to factor in the rover hardware. Curiosity utilizes a percussive, or jackhammering, rotary drill at the end of its 7-foot (2-meter) arm to crush rock samples for analysis. Used brakes on the arm recently led the group to conclude that some more difficult rocks may need excessive hammering to drill securely.
Interests View of Sand Ridges and Bolívar: NASAs Curiosity Mars rover utilized its Mast Camera, or Mastcam, to capture this panorama of a hill nicknamed “Bolivar” and surrounding sand ridges on August 23, the 3,572 nd Martian day, or sol, of the mission. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
” As we do before every drill, we brushed away the dust and then poked the leading surface area of Canaima with the drill. The lack of scratch marks or imprints was an indication that it might prove challenging to drill,” said Curiositys new project manager, Kathya Zamora-Garcia of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.
The objectives scientists eagerly anticipate analyzing parts of the sample with the Chemical and Mineralogy instrument (CheMin) and the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument (SAM).
Tough Driving
The journey to the sulfate-rich region took Curiosity through treacherous terrain, consisting of, this past August, the sandy “Paraitepuy Pass,” which snakes between high hills. It took the rover more than a month to securely navigate in order to finally reach its destination.
While sharp rocks can harm Curiositys wheels (which have a lot of life left in them), sand can be just as harmful, potentially triggering the rover to get stuck if the wheels lose traction. Rover drivers require to carefully browse these locations.
Interests 36 Drill Holes: This grid reveals all 36 holes drilled by NASAs Curiosity Mars rover utilizing the drill on the end of its robotic arm. The images in the grid were captured by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on the end of Curiositys arm.
The hills obstructed Curiositys view of the sky, needing the rover to be carefully oriented based on where it might point its antennas towards Earth and for how long it might communicate with orbiters passing overhead.
After braving those threats, the team was rewarded with some of the most inspiring scenery of the objective, which the rover recorded with an August 14 panorama utilizing its Mast Camera, or Mastcam.
You see ideal little rover tracks on them. Amador-French is Curiositys science operations planner, who manages collaboration in between the science and engineering groups.
The rovers Mars Hand Lens Imager took the inset image. The crushed rock sample was gotten on October 3, 2022, the missions 3,612 th Martian day, or sol.
This new region comes with its own challenges: While clinically engaging, the rockier surface makes it harder to find a location where all 6 of Curiositys wheels are on stable ground. If the rover isnt steady, engineers wont run the risk of unstowing the arm, in case it might bang into the jagged rocks.
” The more and more interesting the science results get, the more challenges Mars seems to toss at us,” Amador-French said.
The rover, which just recently marked its 10th year on Mars, and its team are prepared for this next chapter of their adventure.
More About Curiosity
The Curiosity objective is led by NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which is managed by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California. JPL leads the objective on behalf of NASAs Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Malin Space Science Systems in San Diego built and operates Mastcam.
Low-angle self-portrait of NASAs Curiosity Mars rover. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
NASAs Curiosity Mars Rover has actually come to an unique region believed to have actually formed as Mars environment was drying.
After trekking this summer season through a narrow, sand-lined pass, NASAs Curiosity Mars rover just recently arrived in the “sulfate-bearing system.” This long-sought area of Mount Sharp is improved with plentiful salted minerals.
When the water dried up in ponds and streams, researchers hypothesize that the minerals were left behind billions of years ago. Assuming this hypothesis is right, these minerals use alluring clues regarding how– and why– the Red Planets climate changed from being more Earth-like to the frozen desert it is today.
Interest uses a percussive, or jackhammering, rotary drill at the end of its 7-foot (2-meter) arm to crush rock samples for analysis. The absence of scratch marks or indentations was an indication that it might show challenging to drill,” said Curiositys brand-new project manager, Kathya Zamora-Garcia of NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. Curiositys 36 Drill Holes: This grid reveals all 36 holes drilled by NASAs Curiosity Mars rover using the drill on the end of its robotic arm. The images in the grid were recorded by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on the end of Curiositys arm. The Curiosity mission is led by NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which is managed by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California.
