Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover Megaripple Crossings up to Sol 710 in Gale Crater

• DOI: 10.1002/rob.21647
• Publication Date: 2016-02-26T02:42:34Z
• Authors: Raymond E. Arvidson; Karl D. Iagnemma; Mark Maimone; Abigail A. Fraeman; Feng Zhou; Matthew C. Heverly; Paolo Bellutta; David Rubin; Nathan T. Stein; John P. Grotzinger; Ashwin R. Vasavada
• Keywords: Regolith; Bedrock; Outcrop; Penetrometer; Traverse

After landing in Gale Crater on August 6, 2012, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover traveled across regolith‐covered, rock‐strewn plains that transitioned into terrains have been variably eroded, with valleys partially filled windblown sands, and intervening plateaus capped by well‐cemented sandstones fractured shaped wind outcrops numerous sharp rock surfaces. Wheel punctures tears caused rocks while traversing led to directing traverse where sands would cushion wheel loads. This required driving a megaripple (windblown, sand‐sized deposit covered coarser grains) straddles narrow gap several extensive deposits accumulated low portions of valleys. Traverses mobility difficulties, sinkage values up approximately 30% 0.50 m diameter, resultant high compaction resistances, rover‐based slip 77%. Analysis imaging engineering data collected during traverses megaripples for first 710 sols (Mars days) mission, laboratory‐based single‐wheel soil experiments, full‐scale tests at Dumont Dunes, Mojave Desert, California, numerical simulations show combination material properties geometries explain events. Extensive subsequently avoided instead implemented regolith or thin sand covers separated bedrock exposures.