Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The Curiosity rover's engineering team successfully executed a series of precise arm movements to free the drill from the Atacama target, enabling further scientific examinations using multiple onboard instruments. This process involved twisting, bending, and turning the arm to separate the rock slab from the drill. Subsequent imaging of the drill hole and surrounding terrain was conducted using MAHLI, Mastcam, and ChemCam's Remote Micro-Imager (RMI).
After freeing the drill, the science team analyzed the freshly exposed rock surfaces and surrounding sand. ChemCam performed Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) rasters on clean fracture faces named Tamarugal and Tamarugo and on a light-toned bedrock patch called Colchane. MAHLI and APXS examined sand near Colchane at the Yerba Loca target. Mastcam and ChemCam imaged large buttes and polygonal fractures to document structural features, while ChemCam also targeted light-toned features and a possible meteorite on other buttes.
Curiosity then drove uphill to study a contact between two distinct rock types—the lighter-toned Toro and the darker, flaky Inca de Oro—which could signify a change in formation conditions or time. MAHLI, APXS, ChemCam, and Mastcam collaborated to investigate these formations with chemical analyses and mosaics.
Throughout the week, environmental instruments such as REMS, RAD, and DAN continuously gathered atmospheric and subsurface data. Navcam and Mastcam monitored clouds, dust devils, and dust levels. After confirming the health of the drill and arm, Curiosity advanced to a new area with a larger rock block identified for the next drilling attempt.