The drill is expected to be up and running around the middle of September, Chilean government officials said in an electronic presentation given to CNN.

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Curiosity has already seen plenty of evidence for past running water in Gale Crater and the results from the drill-hole analysis are expected to reveal further information about that wet history.

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Sougarret said the drill hammer had been swapped out but hit fresh problems after running into rock that was tougher than expected.

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