Breaking News — NASA's Curiosity rover has successfully begun drilling at a new target called Campo Marte on Mars, after freeing its robotic arm from a problematic previous block. The operation, conducted during Sols 4893–4899, is part of the rover's ongoing investigation of the layered sulfate unit above the boxwork structures.
In preparation for drilling, Curiosity used its ChemCam laser and APXS spectrometer to measure the composition of the Campo Marte block, along with close-up imaging from the MAHLI camera. The team also performed additional LIBS rasters on nearby blocks to gather geochemical data on vein and nodule-like features.
Meanwhile, the Psyche spacecraft executed a close flyby of Mars to gain a gravitational boost on its journey to the asteroid 16 Psyche. This rare event allowed two NASA missions to briefly share the same planetary neighborhood.
Drilling Details
“After freeing the rover’s arm from the ‘Atacama’ block, we are ready to drill again!” said Lucy Lim, planetary scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. The new target represents the same geologic stratum as Atacama, following a naming theme of locations near the Uyuni region in South America.
The Campo Marte block is substantially thicker than its predecessor. “We’re hoping that its greater mass will keep it on the ground after drilling so that we can withdraw the drill bit normally this time,” Lim added. Earlier, the rover had a minor adventure when the Atacama block moved during drilling, giving scientists unexpected data on volume and density.
Imaging from multiple angles revealed that several nearby blocks, including a feature called Paso Malo, are covered in a prominent polygonal texture — a pattern observed at several stops in this unit.
Psyche Spacecraft Flyby
During the same planning period, the Psyche spacecraft flew close to Mars for a gravity assist. “It’s a unique opportunity to support another solar system exploration mission while we continue our own work,” said a NASA mission spokesperson. Psyche’s destination, asteroid 16 Psyche, is one of the largest members of an unusual spectral class that has never been visited by a spacecraft.
The flyby provided an opportunity for inter-mission coordination and data sharing, though the two spacecraft remain focused on their separate science goals.
Background
Curiosity previously encountered difficulties with the Atacama block, which moved during drilling and required careful extraction of the drill bit. The new site at Campo Marte was chosen specifically to avoid repeating that problem.
The rover is exploring the layered sulfate unit, a region believed to hold clues to Mars’ ancient climate and water history. The name Campo Marte — Spanish for “Field of Mars” — was chosen from a South American geographic theme. The block’s thicker structure offers better stability for the drilling procedure.
Psyche’s flyby marks only the second time a Mars rover has been active during a gravity assist by another mission. The spacecraft is expected to reach its asteroid target in 2029.
What This Means
This drilling operation will provide critical geochemical data on the sulfate unit’s composition and layering, deepening our understanding of Mars’ geological evolution. The presence of polygonal textures suggests past aqueous processes that could have created habitable conditions.
The concurrent Psyche flyby demonstrates the value of multi-mission coordination in solar system exploration. While the two missions pursue different science objectives, their simultaneous activities highlight NASA’s integrated approach to planetary research. Data from Curiosity’s recent drilling will be analyzed over the coming months and compared with observations from previous targets.