Sols 1487-1488: Cleaning CheMin

While some of us enjoyed the Columbus Day holiday, MSL continued working on Mars.  The rover drove over 36 meters on Sol 1485, and another drive is planned for Sol 1487.  But first, ChemCam and Mastcam will observe vein and bedrock targets named "Palapye," "Tutume," "Shoshong," and "Molepolole."  The Right Mastcam will also acquire mosaics of sedimentary structures exposed at "Tsandi" and of potential drill targets at "Mowe Bay."  After the drive, AEGIS will be used to select two ChemCam targets and CheMin will attempt to clean a clump of the Quela drill sample from its inlet funnel by vibrating it.  Only a few activities are planned for Sol 1488, including a passive DAN measurement and the usual background REMS and RAD observations, so the rover batteries should be charged and ready for Wednesday's 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.