Perseverance's challenges continue as it attempts to sample crumbly rock on Mars

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover has been facing a series of challenges while attempting to sample a crumbly rock on the Martian surface. Over the past three weeks, the rover has been diligently exploring the Onahu outcrop, conducting detailed analyses and attempting sample collection.

A previously performed abrasion, named Ouzel Falls, revealed that the rock in question is most likely a conglomerate worth sampling. However, it was also found to be alarmingly crumbly, which posed a significant obstacle to successful sampling.

The team decided to adjust the rover's position, ensuring a better angle for capturing rock fragments in the sample tube and avoiding potential interference with the rover's intricate components. To verify the success of the sampling attempt, additional Mastcam-Z imaging was conducted, providing a visual confirmation of the rock material inside the tube before it was sealed.

Despite these meticulous efforts, the sample collected amounted to a mere 1.3 centimeters, falling short of the team's expectations. Consequently, a decision was made to retry sampling at the Ouzel Falls abrasion spot. Regrettably, the crumbly conglomerate continued to elude Perseverance's grasp, prompting the rover to embark on a 40-meter journey towards a new location known as Stone Man Pass. Here, the scientists hope to identify conglomerates that exhibit characteristics suitable for sampling.

Hmm. After two tries drilling this pebbly outcrop, it seems this crumbly rock doesn’t want to hold together for a core sample. I’ll look for something similar at another spot nearby.Why are pebbles so enticing? ➡️https://t.co/0slRe32RiRWhere to next? ➡️https://t.co/0uxu4m5l6s pic.twitter.com/1oq2JATUN1

— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) June 8, 2023

In parallel, NASA's Perseverance has been utilizing its Mastcam-Z and SuperCam instruments to closely observe several intriguing nearby rocks. Among them is a rock named "Crystal Lake," which exhibits an intriguing surface texture and possibly comprises two distinct types of clasts. Another boulder named "Milner Pass" has caught the attention of scientists due to its peculiar purple coatings.

What's next?

The rover's next destination is the "margin unit," a zone consisting of carbonate-bearing rocks situated along the inner rim of the Jezero Crater. Its previous stop at Echo Creek confirmed the presence of rocks consistent with the curvilinear unit, heightening anticipation for the rover's impending encounter with the margin unit, which is believed to be connected to a larger olivine-and-carbonate-rich unit spanning thousands of square kilometres.

The mission team hopes that a thorough investigation of these deposits, and a comparison to the olivine-rich Séítah, will provide valuable insights into the history of Jezero and its surrounding area.