The software switch in Curiosity's computer, shifting the rover from flight mode to surface mode, was successfully completed last week, paving the way for the mission to begin in earnest. NASA plans an initial movement of the rover soon, perhaps tomorrow, simply as a test, but checking out and calibrating the rover's systems and instruments will still take weeks. Curiosity probably won't begin to really roll until sometime next month.
Before the rover moves, however, the plan is to use the onboard laser to zap a nearby rock. The laser will vaporize a tiny bit of the rock, allowing Curiosity's ChemCam to analyze the vapor for its chemical composition.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
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