142-9 Martian Mineralogy as Manifested in Perseverance’s Abrasion Patterns

Session: Geomorphology and Landscape Evolution of Mars (Posters)

Poster Booth No.: 331

Presenting Author:

Rebecca Williams

Authors:

Williams, Rebecca M. E.¹, Hausrath, Elisabeth², Siebach, Kirsten Leigh³, Dehouck, Erwin⁴, Schmidt, Mariek E.⁵, Sharma, Sunanda⁶, Colburn, Baylee⁷, Kah, Linda C.⁸, Yingst, R. Aileen⁹, Minitti, Michelle E.¹⁰, Pascuzzo, Alyssa¹¹, Huggett, Josh¹²

(1) Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, , (2) University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA, (3) Rice University, Houston, TX, , (4) Université de Lyon, Villeurbanne, France, (5) Brock University, Earth Sciences, Saint Catharines, ON, , (6) Carnegie Science, Washington, DC, , (7) University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, , (8) University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, , (9) Planetary Science Institute, Brunswick, ME, , (10) Framework, Silver Spring, MD, , (11) Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, CA, , (12) Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, CA, ,

Abstract:

     Various tools are used by Mars rovers to remove dust and weathered surface coatings from rocks, exposing fresh material for scientific investigation. Here, we describe the abrasion process used by the Perseverance rover and present preliminary observations suggesting that specific abrasion patterns are linked to target rock composition. In particular, embedded tool marks preserved in abrasion cuttings may serve as an early indicator of clay-bearing rocks. Such mineralogical clues in abrasion images are valuable for prioritizing spectroscopic investigations within the time-constrained rover operations schedule.

     Perseverance uses the corer mechanism mounted on its robotic arm to produce a 5-cm-diameter abrasion patch. The abrading bit contains three tungsten carbide teeth of different lengths, creating three distinct abrasion zones. The sequence begins with percussion to chisel approximately 2 mm into the rock, followed by clockwise rotation to a maximum depth of 16 mm. A high-speed counterclockwise clear-out step then disperses cuttings to the patch perimeter, after which compressed-air puffs remove remaining debris. Finally, the arm-mounted WATSON (Wide Angle Topographic Sensor for Operations and eNgineering) camera acquires high-resolution images of the abrasion patch for petrographic analysis and spectroscopic target selection.

    Between sols 1 and 1938 (February 2021–July 2026), Perseverance completed 65 abrasion patches. Although the objective is to produce a smooth, dust-free surface for spectroscopic observations, some abrasion cuttings display cohesive behavior, forming clumps or adhering to the rock as radial stripes that preserve the abrading tooth pattern. These embedded tool marks occur in multiple geologic settings, including the delta front, upper delta, Neretva Vallis, on the crater rim, and the Lac de Charmes plains, but are absent from abrasion patches on the Jezero crater floor. The patterns are most pronounced in fine-grained rocks, including sandstone and mudstone. Similar tool marks formed during JPL testing on pure hydrated sulfate samples; however, Martian sulfate-rich fine-grained targets (e.g., Berry Hollow and Uganik Island) do not exhibit this texture. Instead, preliminary analyses indicate a stronger correlation between the apparent stickiness of abrasion cuttings and hydrated phyllosilicate-bearing rocks (X-ray fluorescence detection). Although other minerals, including carbonate and sulfate phases, may contribute to this behavior, embedded tool marks appear to be a useful predictive indicator of clay mineral presence.

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