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Mars continues to surprise us. While digging this weekend the mole backed about halfway out of the ground. Preliminary assessment points to unexpected soil properties as the main reason. Team looking at next steps.
#SaveTheMole#Teamworkpic.twitter.com/UURvU8VTwZShow this thread -
One phase ends, and another begins… Last weekend, the mole made a final attempt to dig farther underground on Mars. Even with all the steps we’ve taken to
#SaveTheMole, it seems there’s just not enough friction in this soil to keep it moving downward. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/ZevtiAvS36Show this thread -
After several assists from my robotic arm, the mole appears to be underground. It’s been a real challenge troubleshooting from millions of miles away. We still need to see if the mole can dig on its own. More from our
@DLR_en partners: http://bit.ly/3gSvB38#SaveTheMole pic.twitter.com/qHtaypoxPp -
The mole is digging deeper into
#Mars thanks to the tremendous efforts by my team. Unofficial depth is ~38 cm down in the ground, almost the length of the mole (40 cm). This may be the last time we see the mole, more drilling later this week.#SaveTheMole#DiggingMarspic.twitter.com/c1sZsGSLxj -
I’ve used my scoop to help fill in the pit around my robotic mole. This, combined with another push on the soil from above, may help give the mole the boost it needs to keep making progress. Step by step. More from our
@DLR_en partners: http://bit.ly/2DV9HNJ#SaveTheMole pic.twitter.com/MezKt6vfGP -
A bit of good news from
#Mars: our new approach of using the robotic arm to push the mole appears to be working! The teams@NASAJPL/@DLR_en are excited to see the images and plan to continue this approach over the next few weeks.
#SaveTheMole FAQ: http://go.nasa.gov/HP3FAQ pic.twitter.com/5wYyn7IwVo -
Encouraging news: after my latest small arm moves, the mole looks to still be stable in the ground. Now I can move my arm again to get some more detailed images of the situation.
#SaveTheMole#Teamworkpic.twitter.com/qnA22oLVEa -
More hammering has put the top of the mole under the surface. Time to pivot to a new approach: less direct contact with the mole, more scooping/filling/pressing down on the soil. More to come as
@NASAJPL and@DLR_en work to#SaveTheMole. pic.twitter.com/xRkyAPynDl -
Pulling more puzzle pieces together.
This week, my team continues to work the mole status. I’m moving my arm a tiny bit while taking a series of before-and after images. This should help inform our next move. #SaveTheMole#Teamworkpic.twitter.com/jkhCkE1rlD
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With the mole just under the surface, I held up my camera for a better look at the work area. Up next: I’ll scrape some extra soil on top, and press down again to give it another assist. Read more about what
@NASAJPL and@DLR_en are doing to#SaveTheMole: http://go.nasa.gov/3nW7eW3 pic.twitter.com/cvjncCLoDs -
ICYMI: The mole is on the move. This video recaps our latest heat probe recovery efforts. We still have a long way to go.

#DiggingMars#SaveTheMole Read story: http://go.nasa.gov/2oPrOh3 pic.twitter.com/t17x6YqgVo -
Another short test has my self-hammering mole making gradual progress. Pressing down on the soil above has helped it dig a little further. We’ll do another of these moves soon, with
@NASAJPL and@DLR_en keeping a close eye.#SaveTheMole pic.twitter.com/3s7DVMYJyU -
My mole is on the move again and back to digging. Using my arm to put pressure on the mole from the side has helped it move down ~1.25 inches (~32 millimeters). My
@NASAJPL &@DLR_en team’s efforts to#SaveTheMole continue. pic.twitter.com/ZXo31F5xsi -
Summary of Arm and Mole, sols 427 - 530. Six Back Cap Preloads and Five Hammerings (so far!)
#SaveTheMole pic.twitter.com/jk6zm0laUt -
Yay!
@NASAInSight's mission to#savethemole continues. Here are the raw images from yesterday (lighter) and today (darker) after another short hammering session... We're on the way down again! pic.twitter.com/cC6YvNuVJ5 -
My team at
@NASAJPL &@DLR_en continues to take encouragement from our latest efforts to#SaveTheMole. Another push with my robotic arm has helped the mole keep pushing onward. Taking it one step at a time, and reaching out to help where I can. pic.twitter.com/Xkriknbdc0 -
My robotic mole has had a hard time getting underground, so I’m going to try something we never thought we’d do: giving it a push with my robotic arm while it hammers. This will take several weeks, as the
@NASAJPL/@DLR_en team works to#SaveTheMole. More: http://go.nasa.gov/2HI93SH pic.twitter.com/w42KXBe18o -
Some thoughts on the mole... and my own anxiety.
#SaveTheMole#ScienceDaddypic.twitter.com/LL3g0s08mO -
Ready for another Thwack?
#SaveTheMole#ScienceDaddypic.twitter.com/aAAQhosO9h
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