The MSL project concluded that the bright object on the ground is harmless, allowing the team to proceed with the highly anticipated first sample manipulation activities. These complex activities led to the exclusion of any “opportunistic science” in the Sol 64 plan. Instead, the science team focused on planning future sol activities.
As a journalist, I collaborated with the long-term planning team to determine the best time to schedule a ChemCam decontamination (heating) activity. Ideally, this task should occur weekly, and Sol 66 may be the most suitable time for this task. However, plans are subject to change in the future.
