Mars Rover PIcks up a Rock

Oh, it worked this time!

IIRC, didn't they drill a small hole or something in the ground at some point?

It must take a lot of power to drill a large or deep hole, especially when they hit solid rock. And solar power is much weaker than here, due to distance. That would be my guess.
 

The mole found itself stuck on Feb. 28, 2019, the first day of hammering. The InSight team has since determined that the soil here is different than what has been encountered on other parts of Mars. InSight landed in an area with an unusually thick duricrust, or a layer of cemented soil. Rather than being loose and sandlike, as expected, the dirt granules stick together.

mars.nasa.gov

Mars: News & Features - NASA Science

Get the latest news releases, features, findings, and stories about the missions on Mars.
mars.nasa.gov mars.nasa.gov


This might have an answer.
I think the Martian soil is a bit more different than what NASA was prepared to deal with.
 

Wind7 said:
The mole found itself stuck on Feb. 28, 2019, the first day of hammering. The InSight team has since determined that the soil here is different than what has been encountered on other parts of Mars. InSight landed in an area with an unusually thick duricrust, or a layer of cemented soil. Rather than being loose and sandlike, as expected, the dirt granules stick together.

mars.nasa.gov

Mars: News & Features - NASA Science

Get the latest news releases, features, findings, and stories about the missions on Mars.
mars.nasa.gov mars.nasa.gov


This might have an answer.
I think the Martian soil is a bit more different than what NASA was prepared to deal with.
Click to expand...

Well, for one, there isn't a whole lot of water in it, so it's dry.
 
Oh, that's a relief. I thought it was my pet rock. :P You really must be careful around Mars rocks, because they can be ill tempered if they haven't had their daily steak meal. :)
 

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