Curiosity Prepares Drill Preload Test Near Chiu Chiu

Curiosity has returned near Chiu Chiu for the next drill campaign. Chiu Chiu is not a good drilling candidate. Newly named Nazca has a science go-ahead for drilling preparations.

Curiosity is preparing for a drill preload test. LIBS, DRT, and APXS were applied to Nazca before that test.

MAHLI's QRM observation used five overlapping images, and its focus mechanism steps were doubled for highest-resolution imaging.

ChemCam LIBS conducted a depth profile experiment at Toucan, a crystal-form-rich target. The usual pattern is 150 shots across a five-point raster, with 30 shots per point, but all 150 shots were concentrated on one spot. The 150-shot profile is expected to reach approximately five times deeper.

Condor is the third LIBS target, and it exposed a finely layered texture.

Mars' twilight cloud season begins. Nighttime imaging included Phobos, described as the larger and brighter of Mars' two satellites.

Lucy Lim is listed with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and as Geology and Mineralogy Science Theme Lead.

The date associated with Curiosity is 2026-10-16. Basque Lakes is associated with a drill campaign milestone.

For readers tracking the lunar industry, the value is the documented drilling-preparation sequence: Chiu Chiu is rejected, Nazca receives a science go-ahead, instruments are applied before a preload test, and imaging and depth profile work record the targets. The facts also identify NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and a Geology and Mineralogy Science Theme Lead.

Curiosity is preparing for a drill preload test. LIBS, DRT, and APXS were applied to Nazca before that test, and Curiosity returned near Chiu Chiu for the next drill campaign.