NASA Curiosity rover’s drill smashes Mars rock, collects important samples

NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover drilled a test hole in its latest rock target, called “Mojave,” which could reveal a bit more about the Red Planet’s composition. The agency released an image that shows the grayish rock chips that came from the drill hole and slide across the rock due to vibration. Curiosity was performing a “mini-drill” with a drill bit that is just 1.6 cm across, about the size of a dime. Scientists wanted to see whether the rock is suitable for deeper drilling to collect samples for laboratory analysis. So far, Curiosity has gone up the foothill three times: to take lots of pictures, to study the rocks up-close, and to drill.

The freshly broken up rock is interesting because, when we look at those chips up-close, we will see if those small crystals are present throughout the rock.

R. Vasavada, project scientist for Curiosity

Two months ago, the rover found tiny mineral crystals that scientists think might have been leftover after an ancient lake evaporated. It’s mission aims to uncover whether life ever arose there by looking for chemical elements that are the building blocks of life, including carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur. Curiosity has been exploring the Red Planet since it landed in 2012.

Science Curiosity