Mars exploration is back in full swing as NASA’s Curiosity rover reconnects with Earth after breaking its solar conjunction. With the Sun no longer blocking communications, mission teams immediately resumed science operations. A full weekend of tasks was scheduled on the first planning day, including close study of the broken white rock and surface sand.

Curiosity also completed a short drive of about two meters to reach its next drill site, setting the stage for one of the mission’s most carefully planned experiments. Curiosity returns to Nevado Sajama for a rare final organic chemistry test. According to the NASA Curiosity mission report, the new drill location is just a few centimeters from “Nevado Sajama,” a rock target drilled last November.

Scientists returned to this location to conduct a rare experiment using sample analysis on the Mars instrument. The test will use the rover’s final container of tetramethylammonium hydroxide, a chemical that helps identify organic molecules locked inside Martian rocks. This experiment is considered extremely valuable because Curiosity carries only two such chemical containers, the first of which was used about six years ago.

To minimize risk, the science team practiced transferring the drilled sample to the instrument before attempting drilling. Careful planning shows the importance of making the most of this last opportunity.

Curiosity focused on monitoring dust and weather during the energy-heavy experiment The energy required for the experiment limits other science activities, but Curiosity has already collected extensive images of the area. As Mars enters the dusty season, the team used the time to make environmental observations, tracking dust and haze in Gale Crater.

Mastcam images of Sol 4789 show drilling next to Nevado Sajama, building on previous work in Curiosity’s search for ancient habitation.