9621 Agnes Crossing, Lake Suzanneview, New Mexico Island 84604-9295.
The Curiosity team successfully negotiated the difficult terrain to position the rover on the south side of Pinnacle Ridge before deciding to explore the area further or continue
The Curiosity team successfully negotiated the difficult terrain to position the rover on the south side of Pinnacle Ridge before deciding to explore the area further or continue along the Geddies Wallis Channel. After extensive discussions, it was decided that the track would continue with various scientific observations and environmental monitoring along the way.
We had a serious trip planned for Wednesday, with lots of twists and turns over very rugged terrain, so the team was happy to know that everything was going as planned when we connected at around 04:00 on Friday morning! The successful journey means Curiosity is now parked on the south side of the Pinnacle Range, the last part of the upper Geddys Wallis Range that we plan to explore before crossing the Geddys Wallis Channel. We visited the northern portion of Pinnacle Ridge last week and collected all kinds of data that tells us a lot about the composition and texture of the rocks that make up the ridge.
Friday morning we had a big decision to make: Now that we could see that the south side of the Pinnacle Range was passable, should we go there to get more contact information about the rocks in the Gedise Wallis Range, or should we just keep going? Is our planned channel crossing to Gedise Kanal Wallis? A trip to the Pinnacle Range at this location might give us the opportunity to learn more about the materials the ridge is made of and the role of water in the area, but it might also take a few lefts and not tell us much more than we already have. We already know this from our research on the north side of the Pinnacle Ridge.
My role today was to be a long-range planner; This meant I had to lead a team discussion to discuss the pros and cons of this decision and (ideally) help the group reach consensus. We talked a lot about the rocks we could see from our current location, compared to the rocks we had previously explored on the north bank, and eventually the 25 or so scientists who were part of the tactical operations planning team today agreed: We’d better move on rather than spend any more time here.
Today we will collect lots of Mastcam footage and then continue upstream along the channel heading southwest for approximately 80 feet. Before leaving, we will also take the opportunity to do DRT and conduct contact studies on the rocks at our feet, followed by APXS and MAHLI observations at the target called Boyden Cave, and APXS and MAHLI observations in a nearby (dusty) area. a target called the Royal Arches and finally a single MAHLI target on a cool rock nearby called Quarry Peak. We will also collect two ChemCam LIBS observations of “Otter Lake,” a target very close to the Royal Arches, and another nearby rock called “Nevada Falls.” A series of environmental monitoring observations will complement the plan.
I really love work days like today. This morning we came away with a brand new Martian landscape to marvel at, and then we had to work together as a team to quickly decide what to do next. I think speed of decision-making, being able to discuss tough decisions with a group of really smart, passionate people, and knowing that those decisions are driving the course of a monotonous car on a completely different planet, is one of the coolest ways to achieve that. spend a morning
Source: Port Altele
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