Curiosity is ready to start using its drill in a once water-rich spot on Mars, according to JPL scientists in a report in the Pasadena Sun.
But there's no guarantee that the drilling will be easy, said mission scientist John Grotzinger, who has mentioned the risk in the rover's target: a piece of rock in an area dubbed Yellowknife Bay.
But Grotzinger also calls the area a "jackpot unit" after noting that the rocks there were once "saturated" with water.
This is just another highlight for La Cañada Flintridge-based JPL, whose work with Curiosity will be one of the success stories noted in Pasadena's "State of the City" event on Thursday at Caltech. Even though the real Curiosity will still be on Mars, a full-scale replica of the rover will be on display at the event.
