Curiosity Scrubs a Mars Rock Clean

astroengine writes "NASA's newest rover on Mars has recently used its Dust Removal Tool for the first time, clearing away a patch of rust-colored dust coating its latest target: a slab of rock called "Ekwir_1." The Dust Removal Tool, or DRT (yes, the rover's cleaning instrument is called "dirt") is a motorized brush with stainless steel wire bristles located on Curiosity's multipurpose Robotic Arm turret — a veritable Swiss Army knife of planetary exploration tools." Reader Sez Zero links to a story on the brushing action at the BBC, which adds that "Curiosity is building towards using its hammer-drill, the last major tool yet to be deployed on the mission." So at least we know there's dirt on Mars, even if they chose not to send a dedicated life sensor, too. The Aeon piece is well worth reading, if that decision sounds perverse.

Re:Names

[LizardKing]

I also have an integrated dust removal tool. It operates by projecting a high velocity jet of yellow liquid.

Re:Names

[vlm]

So what would you rather it be called

Geological Oriented Articulated Terrain Surface Exfoliator . Curiosity Xperiment

I got the perfect icon and team mascot for this project too, although it probably looks better on a spelunking instrument.

Martian Bunker?

[eldavojohn]

Martian Archie Bunker: *peering through his invisibility blinds out his window* "Awww jeez, Edith, look at it now, it's rolled on to our property!"
Martian Edith Bunker: "Relax, Archie, he's probably just lost and looking for directions."
Martian Archie Bunker: "Ohhh no, no he's not. Sheesh those gypsy rovers are taking over out here. Look what happened to Earth, it's practically infected with those things! Oh, what's it doing now? It's polishing one of our yard rocks. Oh geez, oh geez, now it's going to come up to the door and ask for money. I didn't ask him to polish no rocks, he ain't gettin' any of my money!"
Martian Edith Bunker: "Well, maybe just a couple a' bucks, Archie. Look at this one, he's so slow and lonely looking. You know how slow those Earthlings are and they mean well, they really do."
Martian Archie Bunker: "Oh no, not this Martian. No sir. You give one of them a couple of Martian bucks and *BAM* suddenly there's a whole group of 'Thlings with their stupid robots standing outside everyone of our 49 One Twenty One convenience stores tryin' to polish your windshield. I'm not going to be the Martian that starts that invasion, no way."

Re:Comments That Are Worth Writing

[Anonymous Coward]

This reminds me of a real life interaction with a friend who was a great conversationalist. I asked him for some pointers to which he said:

Him: The basis of great conversation is disagreement

Me: That's so true

Him: You don't get it, do you?