NASA’s Curiosity rover to drill into Kings Canyon (on Mars)
KINGS CANYON, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – NASA’s Curiosity rover will be drilling into Kings Canyon, an area within the large Gediz Vallis on Mars named after Kings Canyon National Park.
According to NASA, the area was selected for the sampling campaign after it was determined that it was safe to drill and met the criteria for sampling.
Scientists say once the campaign officially commences on the first sol (solar day), extracted material will be characterized, and the drill site will be cleaned using the RAGE activity (Rotate to Agitate Granules for Expulsion).
Additional tests including laser analysis and long-distance remote microscopic imaging will be performed during the following sols to study the materials extracted from the drilling.
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