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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Curiosity's first drill attempt at Lake Orcadie, sol 1977

Curiosity's first drill attempt at Lake Orcadie, sol 1977
Curiosity's first drill attempt at Lake Orcadie, sol 1977 On sol 1977 (February 27, 2018), Curiosity attempted drilling for the first time in 300 sols using the new feed-extended drilling method. Unfortunately, the rock proved too hard for rotation-only drilling, and the drill penetrated only about a centimeter, not deep enough to obtain a sample. NASA / JPL / Emily Lakdawalla

A closer look at the attempt:

Analysis of drilling depth at Lake Orcadie, sol 1977
Analysis of drilling depth at Lake Orcadie, sol 1977 Pink squares are approximately 1 centimeter across and track the motion of one of the drill prongs during the drilling attempt.Image: NASA / JPL / Emily Lakdawalla