They've previously coaxed the probe into the soil a few inches by applying pressure to the side, only to have it auto-reverse out when the internal hammer start

They've previously coaxed the probe into the soil a few inches by applying pressure to the side, only to have it auto-reverse out when the internal hammer starts working after the pressure is released. I can't find a reference to the specific dynamic process but it reminded me of how larger stones 'float' to the top during vibration because smaller stones/sand tend to fill the cavities below. To be honest I never had a feel for how this was going to work and just assumed Martian soil has some distinguishing features they'd tested before that would allow it to work. Turns out, not so much ... Let's see what happens when the scoop is retracted. Perhaps if the probe can get entirely below the surface it will descend (at some funky angle now!)