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.
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.
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.