Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The Mars Science Laboratory's Curiosity rover encountered challenges while drilling the Atacama target rock, as the detached block was lifted along with the drill bit. The rover team attempted several strategies to extract the drill bit, including adjusting its orientation and using percussion to vibrate the rock loose. These efforts, carried out over several sols, eventually freed the drill bit from the Atacama block.
While the rover was focused on freeing the drill bit, in-situ science activities were limited. The science team concentrated on remote sensing observations, such as ChemCam Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) measurements on nearby cobbles and pebbles, and passive reflectance measurements of distant white blocks. Mastcam documented ChemCam targets and performed change detection imaging in the study area.
After the drill bit was released, ChemCam observed the granular material exposed beneath the removed block and examined the cavity walls. Observations included light-toned blocks previously hidden, as well as detailed imaging of layered rock formations at nearby buttes. Additional remote sensing included a dust-devil survey using Navcam and continued LIBS scanning of bedrock targets.