NASA · Space

Curiosity Rover Drills New Rock Sample in Cache Creek Quad

NASA's Curiosity rover has drilled its 48th rock target, "Basque Lakes," in Gale crater's Cache Creek quad. This area is named after a geologically diverse Canadian region.

The rover's MAHLI camera imaged the "Basque Lakes" drill site. The Cache Creek quad on Mars is named after a Canadian area with varied rock types and unique lake chemistry.

Scientists await CheMin analysis of the "Basque Lakes" sample for mineralogical details about its history. They are interested in potential similarities to Canadian lake minerals.

The team planned contact science, including APXS chemistry and MAHLI texture analysis, to assess the target. ChemCam also used its laser for composition analysis.

Despite power constraints and the rover's age, Mastcam imaged the terrain. ChemCam analyzed "Peace River" bedrock and a deposit near "Cordillera."

Environmental conditions are monitored. "Basque Lakes" sample analysis continues next week with SAM.

Curiosity will remain for another week before continuing its exploration of Mount Sharp.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.