NASA’s Curiosity Rover Got Its Drill Stuck on a Rock. Here’s How They Freed It

NASA engineers freed Curiosity after a Mars rock nicknamed Atacama stuck to its drill sleeve during sampling on Mars.

The rock lifted off the ground with the rover’s arm, forcing days of arm repositioning, vibration, and drilling motions to shake it loose.

The rock eventually broke free and shattered on the surface, ending the unusual snag at Gale Crater.

The incident underscores the difficulties of Mars drilling while Curiosity continues searching for clues about past microbial life.