Martian ‘Bonanza King’ rock deemed unsuitable for Curiosity drilling

(Curiosity preparing to test the rock – Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Evaluation of a Martian rock, scheduled to be the next drilling target for NASA’s Curiosity rover, has revealed that it was not stable enough for a safe drilling, therefore Curiosity has abandoned its fourth drilling target and will now continue travelling towards its long term science destination in the Gale Crater.

Curiosity rover prepares for fourth Martian rock drilling

(Curiosity rover snapped this image looking up the ramp at the northeastern end of the “Hidden Valley”. Drilling target “Bonanza King” is at the centre of the scene – Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover has chosen its next target: a rock that looks like a pale paving stone.