NASA Curiosity Blog Covers Sols 5063-5069 at Nazca Drill Site

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has been completing its drill campaign at the "Nazca" drill hole, an area characterized by bedrock containing disk-shaped crystal forms, according to a blog post from the Mars Science Laboratory Mission Team Members.

Drill Campaign and Observations

Drill samples were delivered to the Sample Analysis for Mars (SAM) instrument. While the SAM analysis was ongoing, Monday's plan included a ChemCam LIBS observation of another crystal-form, "Ahi Veremos," more Mastcam frames to fill out a mosaic of the Nazca near to mid-field, and environmental observations including a large dust devil survey, and horizon and atmospheric zenith movies.

Wednesday's plan included two targeted science blocks with a LIBS depth profile of the "Colca" crystal-form and LIBS of the "Bermejo" target. A long distance Remote Micro-Imager (RMI) mosaic of rock clusters below the "Cordillera" ridge was also collected. Mastcam collected more frames of its Nazca mosaic, and more environmental observations were made.

Planned Activities

Friday's planning was for three sols with three targeted science blocks and a drive away from the Nazca drill site. A MAHLI mosaic of the side of the block that hosts the Nazca drill hole was planned. It was also planned to use MAHLI's nighttime white-light and ultraviolet LED lamps for nighttime imaging of the crystal-forms. Mars' moon, Phobos, was eclipsing the Sun and imaging of that event was prioritized. ChemCam LIBS observations were planned for each sol including a cluster of crystal forms, a resistant layer in the side of the Nazca block and a dark float rock. A long distance RMI mosaic of dark lenses beneath a planar surface on the "Mishe Mokwa" ridge was to be made. Another round of environmental observation was also planned. Finally, Friday's drive was to take the rover back towards its southerly trending route where Curiosity would continue its trek of exploration and discovery.

Why it matters

• The blog post was written by William Farrand, Senior Research Scientist, Space Science Institute.
• The image of chip-shaped crystal forms was acquired by Curiosity's Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on November 7, 2026, Sol 5067 of the Mars Science Laboratory Mission, at 14:07:35 UTC.
• Earth planning date for the blog post was Friday, Nov. 6, 2026.

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Sources

• science.nasa.gov: Curiosity Blog, Sols 5063-5069 Rocks and Chips - NASA Science

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.