Sol 780 Update on Curiosity from USGS Scientist Ken Herkenhoff: MARDI video

We were originally planning to perform some arm tests on Sol 780 to help diagnose the fault that occurred last weekend, but it was decided that they were too risky.  So a drive toward a target dubbed "Book Cliffs" was planned instead.  During the drive, MARDI will acquire images of the surface just behind the left front wheel to show what the Pahrump Hills rocks look like all along the rover traverse.  As MAHLI/MARDI uplink lead, I was busy today planning the details of this MARDI "video."  We also planned a MAHLI stowed image at the end of the drive, which is safe because no arm motions are involved.

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.