The plan for the weekend is to do a detailed analysis of the outcrop in front of us and then drive away and do some untargeted observations. Sol 1109 includes ChemCam observations of the targets "Cody" and "Leroy", plus a Navcam dust devil search. After that, the rover will brush the dust off of Cody, with MAHLI images before and after. APXS will then analyze the target Ferdig, and then do an overnight observation of Cody.

On sol 1110, we have some more ChemCam on the targets "Meeteetse" and "Fisch Scale", plus a 10x5 Mastcam mosaic of some interesting nearby ridges, and then a Mastcam multispectral observation of Cody. After that, the plan is to drive about 50 meters and then collect plenty of Navcam images of the new location.

On sol 1111 we will do a bunch of atmospheric observations, including "tau" observations with Mastcam, Navcam movies of the horizon and looking directly overhead, a ChemCam passive observation of the sky, and a DAN passive observation.

By Ryan Anderson

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 16.6-meter drive planned for Sol 1107 completed as planned, placing the rover in front of the bright outcrop of interest. As expected, only a few post-drive images were received in time for Sol 1108 planning, which made it more difficult than usual to pick targets for remote sensing observations and driving. However, we found some bright blocks that the Rover Planners confirmed would be good targets for contact science, and plan is to approach and study them this weekend. But first ChemCam and Mastcam will observe nearby rock and soil targets named "Sphinx," "Houle," and "Utopia." After the short drive, we decided not to acquire the usual MAHLI stowed image and MARDI twilight image, as the view from MAHLI will not be

very different than the previous image, and we can't acquire the MARDI image when we would like because there will be a Mars Odyssey communications session at that time. We can acquire these images on Sol 1109 anyway. So it was an easy day for me as MAHLI/MARDI uplink lead today, and I helped pick ChemCam/Mastcam targets.



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.

After some additional contact science on the Murray formation (of the location shown in the above Mastcam image), we’re now in search of a good sandstone for our next drill target.

The goal of today’s plan is to drive towards a bright patch of blocky outcrop that was first identified in orbital images, and to see if this outcrop is an area that we might want to investigate further. Today’s plan includes an hour of targeted science, followed by a short drive towards the bright outcrop, and post-drive imaging for targeting.

In the morning science block, we’ll acquire ChemCam and Mastcam observations of the targets "Prichard" and "Cat Creek" to look for changes in composition through the Murray formation. We also planned a Mastcam mosaic of the "Vaughn" area to document the Murray-Stimson contact. Then we’ll acquire a Mastcam mosaic of the "Rice" area to investigate the bright patch from our current location. After a short ~12 m drive, we’ll acquire standard post-drive imaging, as well as another large Mastcam mosaic of the "Rice" area. As the Geology Theme Lead today, I had to balance downlink priorities to make sure that we’ll get all of the necessary imaging down in time to make a decision tomorrow (is this a good place to investigate further? Or should we keep driving?). Can’t wait to see what the new images will reveal!

By Lauren Edgar

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

Over the weekend,
Curiosity had a successful ~ 21 m drive, and we’re currently parked in front of a beautiful outcrop of the Murray formation (shown in the bottom half of the above Navcam image, overlain by Stimson). We’ve mostly been driving through the Stimson unit for the past 280 m, so this is a great opportunity to do contact science on the Murray formation to look for any changes in composition or grain size.

I was the Geology Theme Lead today, and our plan consists of 1.5 hours of targeted remote science, followed by contact science. We planned several ChemCam and Mastcam observations on the targets "Winnipeg," "Alma," and "Blackjack." "Winnipeg" is a target in the Murray formation that we’ll also assess with MAHLI and APXS. "Alma" is aimed at characterizing the composition across the Murray-Stimson contact, and "Blackjack" is a resistant ledge within the Murray formation. We’ll also acquire a couple of Mastcam mosaics to document the Murray-Stimson contact and characterize the local structure and stratification, and a Mastcam tau to assess atmospheric opacity. In the afternoon we’ll acquire several MAHLI images of the "Sacajawea" target to investigate a resistant ledge. Then we’ll use the DRT to brush off the dust on "Winnipeg" and take some really close MAHLI images to look for grain size variations. Overnight, we’ll use APXS to investigate the composition of the "Winnipeg" target.

By Lauren Edgar

--Lauren is a Research Geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of 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 Sol 1101 activities that we planned yesterday did not complete due

to an arm error while it was being stowed. Apparently the shoulder

azimuth motor was too cold, so the rover software halted the stow,

which precluded the drive that was to follow. The rover is therefore

in the same position that it was yesterday.



I'm not scheduled in any operational role today, but I called in to

help plan MAHLI imaging of the ChemCam optical window, to monitor dust

accumulation. The operations team had to scramble to recover from the arm

error and plan science observations, but was able to put together an

excellent weekend plan. On Sol 1102, MAHLI will take the standard

images of the rover wheels, then acquire a full suite of images of a

rock dubbed "Badlands." APXS will then be placed on the rock for an

overnight integration. Arm work will continue on Sol 1103, with MAHLI

images of the ChemCam window. Then ChemCam and Mastcam will observe

targets named "Madison" and "Jefferson." On Sol 1104, the RMI and

Mastcam will take images of a bright ridge on the flank of Mt. Sharp,

then ChemCam and Mastcam will observe "Lincoln." Mastcam will also

acquire another mosaic of the wall of Bridger Basin, then the rover

will drive to the bright Murray outcrop "Saddle" as planned yesterday.

Fortunately, the Sol 1104 orbiter overflight geometry is better than

it was yesterday, so we expect to receive all the data needed for

planning on Monday . Finally, early on Sol 1105, Mastcam and Navcam

will observe the sun and sky soon after the Mars Odyssey orbiter flies

over, so that orbiter observations can be compared with nearly

simultaneous observations from the surface. Overall, not a bad plan,

considering that the operations team had to quickly respond to the arm

error!



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 34-meter drive
planned for Sol 1100 placed the rover at the edge of the small plateau,
as intended, with a good view of a bright Murray Formation outcrop .

The center of the Murray outcrop is the target of the drive planned for
Sol 1101, which will hopefully put the vehicle in position for contact
science over the weekend. Before the drive, ChemCam RMI and Mastcam
observations of targets named "Brady" and "Bradley"
are planned, both of which are on the far wall of Bridger Basin .

Mastcam will also observe a shallow trough in the soil next to the
rover ("Blackleaf Creek") and acquire a mosaic of the Murray exposure,
which has been named "Saddle."

Although MRO is now
relaying data as expected, it will pass low in the sky over MSL after
the Sol 1101 drive, so we aren't expecting to receive as much data as usual. The
biggest challenge for me as SOWG Chair today was
therefore planning and prioritizing the data we need for planning tomorrow. We're hoping that we get at least as much data as expected.

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 rover drove 34.5 meters on Sol 1099, as planned, to a good location for the imaging of the northwest wall of Bridger Basin .

The Mastcam team verified that the pointing of the mosaic of that wall,
planned to occur early on Sol 1100, is excellent. So the Sol 1100 plan
includes another drive, to the southwest edge of the small plateau the
rover is on. Before the drive, ChemCam and
Mastcam will observe nearby layered rocks dubbed "Swan" and "Sunburst,"
and Right Mastcam mosaics will be taken of targets named "Studhorse,"
"Sweetgrass Arch" and "Silver Hill." After the drive, in addition to
the standard post-driving activities, we're
planning a Right Mastcam mosaic of "Beartooth Butte" and a SAM
diagnostic activity in preparation for the next solid sample analysis.
Fitting all of the desired observations into the plan was challenging,
otherwise I've had an easy day as SOWG Chair.

The MRO operations team identified the cause of the
communications relay problem we had over the holiday weekend, and sent
commands to the spacecraft to correct it. We're happy that we are again
receiving lots of good data via MRO!

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.

MSL did well over the
long weekend, except that the Sol 1098 drive was halted after 13 meters
of the planned 25 meters because the rover could not confirm that the
path ahead was safe. So the plan for the Sol
1099 drive is essentially to complete the rest of the
previously planned drive. The only significant problem I've had to
grapple with today as SOWG Chair is that the last 5 relays of data
through MRO have returned significantly less data than expected; if
this problem continues, we will barely receive enough data to plan
another drive on Sol 1100. Fortunately, the MRO team understands the
problem and knows how to correct it, and there is a good chance that we
will receive all the data we need in time for planning
tomorrow
morning. This situation reminds me of how much we depend on the Mars
orbiters and the teams that operate them, and to thank them for their
continued support of the MSL mission.

Before the Sol 1099
drive, we have time to acquire ChemCam and Mastcam observations of
"Mission Creek" and "Chamberlain," plus MastCam mosaics of " Bridger
Basin ,"
"Hackley Point," and "Police Creek." The rover will wake up early on
the morning of Sol 1100 to acquire a big stereo mosaic of the far wall
of Bridger Basin, because the illumination will be better early in the
morning. Mastcam will also take a 360-degree
panorama with the left camera.

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 drive on Sol 1093 went well, and Curiosity drove ~15 m towards Bridger Basin. In the Sol 1094 plan, we’ll drive for ~30 m to round the turn into the basin, as we continue making our way through the Stimson unit. These rocks exhibit a lot of beautiful cross-bedding, as seen in the Sol 1093 Navcams .

Today’s plan consists of ChemCam and Mastcam observations on the targets "Whitewater" and "Whitefish," two targets that are within a bright, bleached area near a fracture. After a short drive, we’ll take standard post-drive imaging to help with targeting in tomorrow’s plan. The plan also includes a ChemCam RMI autofocus test to assess temperature effects. Looking ahead, tomorrow will be a busy 4-sol plan to prepare for the long weekend!

By Lauren Edgar

--Lauren is a Research Geologist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center and a member of 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 successful
contact science on the Stimson unit in the Williams area, it’s time to get back on the road. In today’s plan we’ll finish up a few activities at the Williams area, and then continue on our drive towards Bridger Basin and eventually the Bagnold Dunes.

Today’s plan
consists of ChemCam and Mastcam observations on the targets "Interlake," "Ledger," and "Mackay Dome." Then we’ll image the "Ledger" target using all of the Mastcam camera filters, and take another Mastcam clast survey image to look for any changes in the time that we’ve been here. We’ll also use Mastcam to look at the sun to measure the atmospheric opacity. Then we’ll take a short drive and acquire post-drive imaging to help with targeting in tomorrow’s plan. It’s exciting to be driving again, and I’m sure we’ll encounter some beautiful views as we continue to drive through this interesting terrain.

By Lauren Edgar

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