Sol 64 Update on Curiosity from USGS Scientist Ken Herkenhoff: Opportunistic Science

After much analysis and discussion, the MSL project decided that the bright object on the ground is benign and that we can therefore proceed with the long-anticipated first sample manipulation activities. These activities are complex enough that there was not room in the Sol 64 plan for "opportunistic science," so the science team focused on activities to be included in the plans for future sols. I worked with the folks in charge of long-term planning to figure out when we can fit a ChemCam decontamination (heating) activity that should be done every week or so. It's looking like Sol 66 will work, but of course the plan may change...