Sol 225: Science ops continue

Finally, Curiosity's beaming back science data again! Hooray!

Sol 215, one of the first images beamed back from Curiosity about fifteen days
after sol 200's anomaly happened. The view was shot by the lower-mounted front hazard
avoidance cameras (right 'B' eye) and shows 'John Klein' in the foreground with
Aeolis mons in the distance. (NASA/JPL)

Of course one of the first things that happens after such prolonged episodes without any data returns is to take images for vehicle orientation verification. This will allow scientists and engineers on Earth to quickly assess the rover's position especially arm position, see if other data sources follow and thereafter plan their next move. They do this with the navigation cameras which shoot in black and white and are mounted 2m above the ground alongside the colour science cameras.

Sol 223 360 degree navigtion mosaic panorama. It was a rough
set up so forgive the saw-like horizon though that isn't the point of
this image as explained above (NASA/JPL/panorama by Abraham Samma)

More samples of John Klein are planned to be processed for SAM to refine the measurements presented to us 2 weeks ago. Conjunction will slow things down for the time being but with a working B-side computer and a restored A-side as back up, Curiosity is set to restart her mission of exploration. Let's roll!