Mars Mission Update by Michelle Minitti, MAHLI Deputy Principal Investigator
Earth Planning Date: Friday, Oct. 1, 2026
Curiosity’s mission heavily relies on various instruments for comprehensive analysis. This week focused on concluding CheMin analysis from the “Basque Lakes” drill hole and prepping SAM for its examination of the sample. CheMin insights guided SAM’s decision to perform a volatile measurement using its tunable laser spectrometer (TLS), with results influencing potential follow-up mass spectrometry.
Laboratory activities consume a substantial part of Curiosity’s daily power, meaning other tasks are put on hold during drilling operations—a necessary sacrifice for the valuable data provided by CheMin and SAM. Despite this, we maximized available energy to gather data contextualizing our drill site and continued routine environmental monitoring.
Key activities included:
- Mastcam: Acquired a 360-degree mosaic for a comprehensive view of the geological context surrounding the drill hole.
- Light-based Observations: Conducted seven photometry observations to analyze how target characteristics change with the sun angle, aiding in both rover and orbital image interpretation.
- ChemCam: Collected chemistry data from various materials—ranging from drill hole interiors to surrounding sand ripples and loose rock fragments—enhancing our understanding of the workspace composition.
Environmental monitoring continued with regular data collection from REMS, RAD, and DAN, alongside Navcam and Mastcam observations tracking atmospheric conditions, dust levels, and dust-devil activities.
These coordinated efforts support ongoing scientific exploration and provide crucial insights into Mars’ geological history and environmental conditions.
