Curiosity’s Search for Suitable Drilling Sites on Mars: Sol 2256 and Beyond

The team was filled with excitement for Sol 2256 as they planned to reach out for contact science and drilling on Mars. However, they were faced with another setback when the workspace proved unsuitable for drilling yet again, forcing them to search for a new target. Despite the two failed attempts, the team’s optimism remained unwavering as they set their sights on a third candidate location known as “Region C.”

On Sol 2256, the plan included a science block followed by driving towards Region C. During the science block, ChemCam data was collected on targets “Sandy Haven” and “Tarness Haven,” along with a Mastcam multispectral mosaic to assess color variations. The environmental group also monitored the atmosphere with Navcam observations, including a line of sight image and a dust devil movie.

As Curiosity began its drive towards Region C, planned stops were scheduled for Mastcam and Navcam imaging to assess the terrain along the way. Once reaching the final parking spot, additional images were taken to determine if drilling at Region C was feasible or if the search for suitable drilling locations would continue.

Despite facing challenges presented by Mars, the team remained optimistic that this third attempt would finally yield success. Stay tuned for updates on their progress!