Sol 148 Update on Curiosity from USGS Scientist Ken Herkenhoff: Instrument Health

4 January 2013

Because MSL planning is "restricted" these days and we planned a drive on Sol 147, we could not accurately point at targets on Mars on Sol 148. So it was a good time to take care of some instrument health and calibration activities that are periodically needed, including heating of the ChemCam instrument to remove any contaminants that may have frozen onto the sensors. We planned some ChemCam observations of calibration targets before heating up the instrument, and a CheMin calibration activity in preparation for analyzing the first drill sample. It was an easier day for the planning team, and my shift as SOWG Chair lasted less than 9 hours (Sol 147 planning took more like the nominal 11 hours).