NASA's Mars Exploration: Navigating the Red Bumpy Road and Making Lemonade from Lemons

NASA's Mars rover Curiosity, currently driving across bumpy terrain on the Mt. Sharp Ascent Route, was unable to unstow its arm for contact science due to the rugged ground. Instead, the rover conducted a ChemCam LIBS observation of smooth bedrock, documented a nearby exposure of bedrock, and investigated the interaction between sand and bedrock. Environmental data collection, including monitoring dust devil activity and cloud movement, was also conducted. The science team is preparing for Curiosity's weekend plan, which involves taking images and collecting data.