Over the weekend, Curiosity completed the drilling investigation at Lubango, and we drove ~13 m to the "Ovitoto" area (note that this area is only ~4 m away from Cubango as the crow flies, but it took some maneuvering to get there). This area is composed of typical unaltered Stimson bedrock, which we’ll use to compare to the altered bedrock at Lubango.

I was on duty as GSTL today, and we put together a full plan of contact science to characterize the next potential drill site. The two-sol plan starts with a ChemCam observation of "Okoruso," followed by MAHLI of the same site. ChemCam LIBS shots tend to blow away a lot of dust, so this will create some nice clean spots for MAHLI to observe grain-scale properties. The "Okoruso" target will then be brushed off with the DRT, and we’ll acquire MAHLI and APXS on the same spot. We’ll also do a preload test to prepare for drilling on Wednesday. Early the next morning, Curiosity will acquire several Navcam and Mastcam observations to monitor the atmosphere and search for dust devils. These activities will be coordinated with REMS monitoring at the same time. In the afternoon of the second sol we have a targeted science block, with ChemCam observations of "Omatako" and "Kombat" to investigate variations in composition near the drill site and another alteration zone. Looking forward to more drilling on Wednesday!

By Lauren Edgar

--Lauren is a Research Geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of the MSL science team.

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.

After a nice rest on Sol 1325, Curiosity was charged up and
ready for lots of science! On Sol 1326, we started off with multispectral
Mastcam observations of the pile of dumped powder from the "Lubango" drill
target and the targets "Rubikon" and "Ebony". Then ChemCam had a passive
observation of the dump pile, followed by active observations using the laser
on Rubikon as well as "Ida" and "Lorelei". Mastcam documented the ChemCam
observations as usual, and then finished the science block with an atmospheric
observation. Later in the day on Sol 1326, MAHLI observed the dump pile and
drill tailings, as well as a bedrock target called "Nara Valley". Finally, APXS
had an overnight observation of the dump pile.

In today’s weekend plan, which covers Sols 1327-1329, we
start off with a sol focused on dumping out more of the powder acquired from
the Lubango drill, this time after passing it through a sieve. Mastcam and
MAHLI will take pictures of the new dump location before and after the sieved
sample is dumped, and then APXS will do an overnight measurement. On Sol 1238,
we have lots of remote sensing. Navcam and Mastcam have a few atmospheric
observations, and then ChemCam will measure the pre- and post-sieve dump piles,
Nara Valley, and a target called "Ovitoto".

Then, on Sol 1329, Curiosity will do a short drive to a nearby
patch of flat Stimson formation sandstone that should not have as much silica
enrichment as what we see at Lubango. This will put us in position to drill
that location sometime next week! by Ryan Anderson -Ryan is a planetary scientist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of the ChemCam team on MSL. 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

It’s been a busy few days of drilling and related
activities, so the plan for sol 1325 is a pretty simple one to allow the rover’s
batteries to recharge. There is a short science block with a ChemCam
observation of the drill tailings at "Lubango" along with Mastcam documentation.
After that, MAHLI will take a closer look at the targets "Lianshulu" and "Rubikon".
Other than routine environmental monitoring measurements by DAN, RAD, and REMS,
that’s about all for sol 1325! Taking it easy today allows us to do some remote
sensing tomorrow and then wrap up our activities at this location over the
weekend. On Sunday we will drive to our next drilling location, which is on a
nearby patch of normal-looking Stimson sandstone. by Ryan Anderson -Ryan is a planetary scientist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of the ChemCam team on MSL. 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

As expected, the Sol 1323 data we needed for planning today were received later than usual, so tactical planning started 3 hours later than normal. This makes for a long day, especially for the European members of the MSL operations team. But the real challenge today is power--the drill-related activities that have been commanded lately require discharging the batteries more deeply than we usually do. So as SOWG Chair today, I put a lot of effort into fitting high-priority observations into the plan while limiting battery discharge. As it turned out, we were able to preserve all of the strategically-planned activities, including dumping the unsieved portion of the sample and observing it with Mastcam, Navcam, MAHLI, and APXS. ChemCam will measure the chemistry in the wall of the drill hole and CheMin will return mineralogical data. But these activities will leave the batteries only 60% charged, not enough to continue the drill campaign tomorrow . So it looks like the rover will have to take a break and recharge its batteries tomorrow .



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.

So far, all of the activities planned for last weekend have completed successfully, and we have a new drill hole on Mars! The Sol 1323 plan is therefore to continue the Lubango drill
campaign, transferring the sample to CHIMRA, sieving it, and delivering
some of the



I'm SOWG Chair today, and the only significant problem I've had to deal
with is how to fit everything we'd like to do into the available power.
We were able to squeeze in all of the top-priority activities, so I'm
happy with the plan!



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.

The contact science activities on Sol 1319 went well, and we analyzed another DRT location with MAHLI and APXS. The drill pre-load test suggested that the Lubango block might have moved slightly, but the RPs feel comfortable to go ahead and drill in the weekend plan.

I was on duty as GSTL again today, and it’s always exciting when we get to drill a new sample on Mars. In addition to the main drill activities, the plan includes several targeted science blocks, which will be used to characterize the drill location and search for the next potential drill site on unaltered Stimson bedrock. On the second sol, the science block includes Mastcam multispectral characterization of the drill hole, followed by several Mastcam mosaics. The color information provided by Mastcam is really helpful in distinguishing altered versus unaltered bedrock. We also planned a small mosaic to assess a fracture that crosscuts an impact crater. Then we’ll shoot several ChemCam targets to assess the block that we’re drilling, and a few sites that we might bump to next. The science block on the second sol includes an additional target to assess unaltered Stimson bedrock. Fingers crossed for a successful drilling campaign!

By Lauren Edgar

--Lauren is a Research Geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of the MSL science team.

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.

The bump on Sol 1317 went well, and we’re ready to start our drilling campaign at the "Lubango" fracture zone. After a lot of discussion this morning, the plan evolved to include contact science at three targets near "Lubango." First we’ll use the DRT to clear off a fresh surface. This DRT location is slightly offset from the intended drill location, so we’ll use MAHLI to image both the DRT location and the intended drill location. Then we’ll do a short APXS integration on the intended drill target. In the evening, we’ll squeeze in another APXS integration on a target named "Congula" which is a block of outcrop adjacent to "Lubango." Then we’ll place the APXS on the DRT location for an overnight integration. I’ll be on duty tomorrow as GSTL, so it was good to catch up on all of the potential drill locations today. Should be an exciting week of operations!

By Lauren Edgar

--Lauren is a Research Geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of the MSL science team.

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.

On Sol 1316, Curiosity drove ~15 m back toward the "Lubango" target, which we first observed on Sol 1310. "Lubango" is a high silica target that sits along a fracture in the Stimson formation. The team decided to drill near this fracture to better understand both the altered and unaltered Stimson bedrock. "Lubango" is the flat block on the right side of the above Navcam image. The fracture is still slightly out of reach, so today’s plan involves a short bump to set us up for drilling activities.

The plan starts with six ChemCam activities aimed at identifying high silica targets. We’ll also acquire a large Mastcam mosaic of the area to document the targets and potential drill sites. Then we’ll bump forward and take post-drive imaging for targeting. If all goes smoothly, we should be ready to DRT and start contact science tomorrow!

By Lauren Edgar

--Lauren is a Research Geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of the MSL science team.

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.

All of the activities planned for last weekend completed successfully,
including the full MAHLI wheel imaging and associated rover motion of
just over 1 meter. The science team decided to return to the Lubango
outcrop based on ChemCam results that show unusually high silica there. Therefore, the Sol 1316 plan includes a drive back toward Lubango to find good targets for
drilling. Before the drive, ChemCam and Mastcam will observe bedrock
targets "Outapi" and "Okongo," the RMI will acquire a 5x1 mosaic of
"Piambo," Mastcam will take images of the Lubango area, and Navcam will
search for dust devils. Active DAN measurements are planned both before
and after the drive, and CheMin will perform some calibration
activities overnight. I'm MAHLI/MARDI uplink lead again today, and had
only the usual MARDI twilight image to plan.



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.

Tactical planning was a bit hectic today as we reacted to yesterday's
change in the near-term science goals, but the team quickly determined
what is feasible and put together a good plan. There are no good
brushable targets in the arm workspace , so the DRT will not be used. Rather, we selected 3 targets for MAHLI
imaging and APXS measurements of natural surfaces. I'm MAHLI/MARDI
uplink lead today, and have been very busy!



The Sol 1313 plan starts with a mid-day ChemCam observation of the sky
and Mastcam images of the Sun to measure the amount of dust in the
atmosphere. The arm will be deployed that afternoon to take MAHLI
images of "Kasane" and "Uau," on either side of a bright/dark boundary
in the outcrop. MAHLI will then take pictures of another bedrock target
dubbed "Onesi" and of the rover wheels. The APXS will be placed on
Onesi for a couple evening integrations, then on Uau for an overnight
integration.



Early the next morning, Navcam will search for clouds and Mastcam will
measure dust again by imaging the Sun. Later that morning, MAHLI will
take pictures of the REMS ultraviolet sensor, which is done periodically
to see how much dust is on the sensor. Then the remote sensing
instruments get busy: Mastcam will take a multispectral image of
"Gariep," a few rocks that were broken/crushed by the rover wheels, then
ChemCam and Mastcam will observe Uau, Kasane and a bedrock target named
"Kolmanskop." The RMI will acquire a 5x1 mosaic of Mount Sharp, Mastcam will take stereo images of the "Rasthoff" area and image the Sun again, and Navcam will search for clouds. Finally, the APXS will be placed on Kasane for an overnight integration, in parallel with a SAM scrubber cleaning activity.



On Sol 1315, the rover will complete the full set of MAHLI wheel images,
bumping in between images to ensure that all parts of the wheels are
imaged. The usual set of post-drive images will then be acquired to set
us up for planning on Monday , when we will probably drive again.



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.