ChemCam will address four of the five Mars Science Lab mission objectives: 1) characterize the geology of the landing region, 2) investigate planetary processes relevant to past habitability, 3) assess the biological potential of a target environment, and 4) look for toxic materials. As a remote sensing instrument, ChemCam’s primary objective is to rapidly characterize rocks and soils (Figure 3), and to identify samples of greatest interest for further investigation by contact and analytical laboratory instruments onboard the Curiosity rover.

Figure 3. Curiosity targets an outcrop out of reach of its other instruments. Credit: J-L. Lacour/CEA/French Space Agency (CNES)

To meet these objectives, the ChemCam science team has designed 12 science and operational investigations:

1)      Rapid remote rock identification; quantitative elemental compositions

2)      Soil and pebble surveys, average soil composition, maturity, and exotic materials

3)      Detection and study of hydrated minerals

4)      Rapid remote identification of surface ices

5)      Analysis for weathering coatings on rocks

6)      Study rock morphologies (RMI imaging)

7)      Analysis of samples that are inaccessible to the rover arm

8)      Assist arm and drill sampling

9)      Remote identification of organic material

10)    Check for abundances of beryllium, lead, cadmium, and arsenic well above hazardous levels for humans