18 October 2016

When we looked at the latest data from
MSL this morning, we noticed that the
MAHLI and
ChemCam RMI images of the Quela dump pile were unexpectedly offset from the center of the pile. After looking at more of the recent images, it became clear that the dump pile had been moved by winds! So we put together plans to repeat the
ChemCam passive observation and
APXS integration on the dump pile at its new position, but ultimately were not able to fit the
ChemCam passive into the plan due to power limitations. We didn’t want to put off the strategically-planned cross-contamination experiment, which requires significant power. Hopefully the wind won’t blow away the dump pile before
APXS can measure its chemical composition!
By Ken Herkenhoff
Dates of planned rover activities described in these reports are subject to change due to a variety of factors related to the Martian environment, communication relays and rover status.
Posted in:
Curiosity, Field Work