Curiosity Plans Drill After Observing Disc-Shaped Lumps
- Curiosity has selected a drill target after observing disc-shaped lumps in recent sulfate unit workspaces.
- The planned drill would be the first above an erosional supersurface, following contact science and a preload test.
- The workflow includes Mastcam, MAHLI, ChemCam, APXS and CheMin before drilling.
- Curiosity drove more than 1 km since Campo Marte to reach the promising workspace.
What happened
Curiosity has observed a rock texture change and blocks with disc-shaped lumps in recent sulfate unit workspaces.
A Wednesday drive brought Curiosity to a promising drill workspace, and a specific drill target has been selected.
The first drill above an erosional supersurface is planned.
What we know
The Curiosity blog is dated 2026-09-18 and was written by Lucy Lim, who is affiliated with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
Curiosity observed a rock texture change and blocks containing disc-shaped lumps in recent sulfate unit workspaces.
The disc-like shapes may represent crystalline mineral growth or a broken harder rock layer.
Mastcam imaged the disc features as Torres del Paine, and cutaway views aid mapping of sedimentary structures.
ChemCam long-distance imaging has continued, and long-distance imaging projects are ongoing. Mastcam mosaics show buttes flanking Valle Grande, where erosional deposits inform formation.
Curiosity has driven more than 1 km since Campo Marte, and a Wednesday drive brought it to a promising drill workspace. A specific drill target has been selected, and a drill campaign is needed.
CheMin is required for mineral identification, and CheMin is an X-ray diffraction instrument.
Friday site characterization uses arm instruments, with targets Alberta Wild Rose and Moonraker Mountain. ChemCam's LIBS target is Osoyoos, and Mastcam targets are Trincomali Channel and Yellow Lady's Slipper.
Why it matters
The update lists a NASA instrument sequence: Mastcam and MAHLI imaging, arm characterization, LIBS and APXS composition work, CheMin mineral identification, and drilling. For lunar-industry tracking, the same categories describe how surface materials are characterized before a drill target is chosen.
What's next
A very short drive is planned, with contact science planned first. A preload test and drill are planned, and the first drill above an erosional supersurface is planned.
Mastcam and MAHLI imaging are planned, and LIBS and APXS composition investigations are planned.
Drill Sol 1 is Triage Contact Science.
Lucy Lim returns to planning Monday as theme lead.
What we are not sure about
- The disc-like shapes are described only as possible crystalline mineral growth or a broken harder rock layer.
Sources
Written by AI systems from the sources above and checked automatically; no personal byline. How this site works