Coring activity snapped by Perseverance rover. It acquired this image of its drill using one of its onboard hazard avoidance cameras. This image was captured during April 22, 2025 (Sol 1483) at site 73.0. Image credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
So unbelievably awesome that I’m even looking at this picture.
Two sols have passed, and the coring drill is still embedded inside the rock…
I’m assuming this isn’t intentional. Paul, do you recall something like this ever happening before? If the rover encountered some kind of fault, it makes sense that they would leave everything where it is and assess the problem before acting.
Two sols have passed, and the coring drill is still embedded inside the rock…
I believe it’s a unique situation, I’m checking image downloads every few hours to see if they can free the drill. I guess many things could force a trip, high on my list would be a slip by one or more wheels while coring, second would be movement of the slab during coring. They can leave a stuck bit in the ground by commanding a release from the chuck, but I assume that would be the least desired option. If you recall they left the launch abrading bit in a rock early in the mission as there was no space for it inside the carousel.
