Exploring Okoruso: A Mars Drill Hole Named in Honor of Japanese Astronaut

On Sol 1332, a new drill hole on Mars was named “Okoruso.” The drilling activity was successful on that day, and the weekend plan for the Mars rover is focused on analyzing the sample collected from the drill hole. The first step of the plan is to acquire images of the drill hole using ChemCam RMI and Mastcam. Stereo imaging of the pre-sieve dump location will also be done.

Once the imaging is complete, the “Okoruso” drill sample will be transferred to the sieve and then delivered to CheMin for overnight analysis. The following day, ChemCam and Mastcam observations will be done on targets “Natas” and “Langental” to investigate chemical variations in the stratigraphy.

On the third day, there will be a morning science block filled with ChemCam, Navcam, and Mastcam observations to monitor the composition and opacity of the atmosphere on Mars. The team will also search for clouds during this time. In addition, ChemCam will be used to study both the drill tailings and a freshly broken rock. The day will end with some repeated atmospheric observations.

The latest drill hole on Mars has been named “Okoruso,” which was created on Sol 1332 during successful drilling activities. The weekend plan for analyzing samples collected from this new hole has begun with a science block that involves acquiring images of it using ChemCam RMI and Mastcam as well as stereo imaging of its pre-sieve dump location.

Following this science block, CheMin will receive an overnight analysis of “Okoruso” sample while ChemCam and Mastcam make observations on targets “Natas” and “Langental” to investigate chemical variations in stratigraphy.

On third day of this weekend plan, another science block takes place in which ChemCam observes both composition and opacity of atmosphere on Mars while searching for clouds at same time. Afterward, ChemCam studies not only tailings left behind by previous drilling but also a newly broken rock during afternoon session.

Finally, this day concludes with some repeated atmospheric observations before another exciting day at Okoruso comes to an end.