# Curiosity Rover Completes 49th Drill Hole Named Nazca on Mars NASA's Curiosity rover successfully drills into Martian rock to investigate potential ancient crystal formations. - **Source:** [NASA – Recently Published](https://www.nasa.gov) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [science](https://brifing.si/c/science) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/2fc7434f-47b4-4159-975b-fd37eec0bdd3 ## Nazca Drilling Operation NASA’s Curiosity rover successfully completed its 49th drill hole on Mars, designated as Nazca, on Sol 5050. The operation required rigorous stability and preload testing to ensure the rover’s robotic arm could safely penetrate the rock surface. This site was specifically chosen for its unique disc-shaped inclusions, which scientists suspect are crystals. ## Scientific Selection Criteria The team returned to this specific region because the rock formations contain abundant potential crystals. These structures are viewed as critical indicators for understanding past environmental conditions on Mars. Before drilling, the team performed comprehensive safety checks to confirm the rover’s wheels were on solid ground and the rock was stable. ## Pre-Drill Analysis Suite Prior to the drilling process, the target Nazca was analyzed using the rover’s specialized instrument suite, including APXS, MAHLI, and ChemCam. These tools provided detailed mineralogical and chemical data before the physical sampling occurred. This multi-instrument approach ensures that the team gathers maximum context before the drill bit disturbs the target material. ## Post-Drilling Sample Processing Following the successful extraction, the collected sample was delivered to the CheMin instrument for detailed analysis. The research team is currently awaiting the transmission of these results from Mars to Earth. These findings are expected to provide insights into the composition of the inclusions and the broader geological history of the area. ## ChemCam Pebble Investigations Beyond the primary drill site, the ChemCam instrument conducted LIBS measurements on dark pebbles like Palpala and Puna. The team is investigating these pebbles to determine if they share a common origin or vary in composition. Only pebbles of sufficient size are targeted to prevent movement during the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy process. ## Depth Profiling Objectives The ChemCam team also performed a depth profile on a target named Llama to verify consistency in their observations. By comparing these results with previous profiles, researchers aim to determine if mineralogical variations exist between different locations. This systematic approach helps refine the team's understanding of the local Martian sedimentary structures and textures. ## Long-Distance Geological Survey In addition to local sampling, the rover utilized long-distance Remote Micro-Imager (RMI) observations. These images focused on two prominent buttes, Mishe Mokwa and Cordillera, which have long interested the team. These structures reveal complex sedimentary layers that are essential for reconstructing the geological evolution of the region near the rover's current path. ## Mission Context and Significance The Nazca drilling campaign represents a focused effort to decode Martian environmental history through mineralogy. By identifying and analyzing potential crystals, the mission seeks to clarify the planet's past habitability. The data gathered from these 5050-5055 sols will contribute to the ongoing scientific evaluation of the geological diversity found on Mars. ## Sources covering this story - https://science.nasa.gov/blog/curiosity-blog-sols-5050-5055-its-nazca-our-49th-drill-hole/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._