The drill will produce a powdered sample that can be put in the robot's on-board laboratories for analysis.

BBC: Curiosity Mars rover deploys its rock brush

If the target slab is deemed suitable, a number of test holes are likely to be drilled - using the rotation as well the percussive action - before a powdered sample is picked up and delivered to Curiosity's onboard laboratories.

BBC: Curiosity Mars rover hammers into rock

This image from NASA's Curiosity rover shows the first sample of powdered rock extracted by the rover's drill.

FORBES: First Curiosity Drilling Sample in the Scoop