After a productive weekend of activities and driving, our team was eager to begin contact science and drilling on Mars. However, the terrain in our workspace once again proved unsuitable for drilling. As a result, we set out to find a new target area for our drill. Our first two attempts at locating drillable red Jura were not successful, so we decided to try our luck at a third candidate location called “Region C.”
For Sol 2256, our plan included a science block before the drive to Region C. During this time, we collected ChemCam data on two targets: “Sandy Haven” and “Tarness Haven.” We also used Mastcam to create a multispectral mosaic in order to assess color variations that would help us determine the best location for drilling red Jura. The environmental team conducted Navcam observations to monitor the atmosphere, capturing a line of sight image and a dust devil movie.
As we drove towards Region C, we stopped halfway to assess the upcoming terrain with Mastcam and Navcam imaging. Once we reached our final parking spot, we took additional images to evaluate the ground in front of us. These images would help us decide whether we should drill at Region C or continue searching for the ideal red Jura location. We were hopeful that this third attempt would be successful, so stay tuned for updates on our progress.
