![\"NASA\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/thumbnails\/image\/e1-pia25414-curiositys-view-1041.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nNASA\u2019s Curiosity Mars rover used its Mast Camera, or Mastcam<\/a>, to capture this panorama of a hill nicknamed \u201cBol\u00edvar\u201d and adjacent sand ridges on Aug. 23, the 3,572nd Martian day, or sol, of the mission.Credits: NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/MSSS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs we do before every drill, we brushed away the dust and then poked the top surface of Canaima with the drill. The lack of scratch marks or indentations was an indication that it may prove difficult to drill,\u201d said Curiosity\u2019s new project manager, Kathya Zamora-Garcia of NASA\u2019s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. \u201cWe paused to consider whether that posed any risk to our arm. With the new drilling algorithm, created to minimize the use of percussion, we felt comfortable collecting a sample of Canaima. As it turned out, no percussion was needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The mission\u2019s scientists look forward to analyzing portions of the sample with the Chemical and Minerology instrument (CheMin) and the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument (SAM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n This grid shows all 36 holes drilled by NASA\u2019s Curiosity Mars rover using the drill on the end of its robotic arm. The rover analyzes powderized rock from the drilling activities. The images in the grid were captured by the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on the end of Curiosity\u2019s arm.Credits: NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/MSSS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Difficult Driving<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The journey to the sulfate-rich region took Curiosity through\u00a0treacherous terrain, including, this past August, the sandy \u201cParaitepuy Pass,\u201d which snakes between high hills. It took the rover more than a month to safely navigate in order to finally reach its destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While sharp rocks can\u00a0damage Curiosity\u2019s wheels\u00a0(which have plenty of life left in them), sand can be just as hazardous, potentially causing the rover to get stuck if the wheels lose traction. Rover drivers need to carefully navigate these areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hills blocked Curiosity\u2019s view of the sky, requiring the rover to be carefully oriented based on where it could point its antennas toward Earth and how long it could communicate with orbiters passing overhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After braving those risks, the team was rewarded with some of the most inspiring scenery of the mission, which the rover captured with an Aug. 14 panorama using its Mast Camera, or Mastcam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe would get new images every morning and just be in awe,\u201d said Elena Amador-French of JPL, Curiosity\u2019s science operations coordinator, who manages collaboration between the science and engineering teams. \u201cThe sand ridges were gorgeous. You see perfect little rover tracks on them. And the cliffs were beautiful \u2013 we got really close to the walls.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But this new region comes with its own challenges: While scientifically compelling, the rockier terrain makes it harder to find a place where all six of Curiosity\u2019s wheels are on stable ground. If the rover isn\u2019t stable, engineers won\u2019t risk unstowing the arm, in case it might bang into the jagged rocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curiosity used its Mast Camera, or Mastcam, to capture this image of its 36th successful drill hole on Mount Sharp, at a rock called \u201cCanaima.\u201d The rovers Mars Hand Lens Imager took the inset image. The pulverized rock sample was acquired on Oct. 3, 2022, the mission\u2019s 3,612th Martian day, or sol.Credits: NASA\/JPL-Caltech\/MSSS<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe more and more interesting the science results get, the more obstacles Mars seems to throw at us,\u201d Amador-French said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the rover, which recently marked its\u00a010th year on Mars, and its team are ready for this next chapter of their adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More About Curiosity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Curiosity mission is led by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managed by Caltech in Pasadena, California. JPL leads the mission on behalf of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Malin Space Science Systems in San Diego built and operates Mastcam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more about Curiosity, visit: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n