Curiosity Mars rover deploys its rock brush

January 09, 2013 03:26

BBC: Nasa's Mars rover Curiosity has used its brush tool for the first time to sweep dust off the surface of a rock. The rotating wire bristles cleared a roughly 5cm-wide patch on an area of ground dubbed "Ekwir 1" by scientists.

Brushing away the dust gives the robot's survey instruments a clearer view of the texture and chemistry of the underlying rock. Curiosity is building towards using its hammer-drill, the last major tool yet to be deployed on the mission. This should see action very soon, provided a suitable rock can be identified.

The drill will produce a powdered sample that can be put in the robot's on-board laboratories for analysis. The rover is currently investigating a location in Mars' Gale Crater known as Yellowknife Bay, a small depression several hundred metres from the point where it landed back in August.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Preity Slams Rohit 'Fake News'

'I hold Rohit Sharma in very high regard & am a big fan of his, but I have NEVER DISCUSSED him in any interview.'

Two dead, seven missing as boat capsizes in Odisha's Mahanadi River

The incident took place when around 50 passengers hailing from Kharsia area in the neighbouring Chhattisgarh were returning in the boat after visiting a temple in Patharseni Kuda in Odisha's Bargarh district.

Rahul Or Dhoni? Who Batted Best? Vote!

Does Rahul get your vote? Or did you prefer Dhoni's cameo?

President Xi launches cyber warfare wing for Chinese military

The Information Support Force was regarded as the revised version of the PLA's Strategic Support Force, established in 2015 by the Chinese military to deal with space, cyber, political and electronic warfare to fight what was described...

Skipper Rahul delighted after LSG get 'it all right' vs CSK

Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul was chuffed to get most of his decisions right as he guided his team to a convincing eight-wicket victory over defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the IPL game in Lucknow on Friday.