The Jet Propulsion Laboratory team spent a few days brainstorming ways to free the rock.
Their early tries, like vibrating the drill and moving the robotic arm, didn't do the trick.
But on May 1, they nailed it by tilting and spinning the drill while adding vibrations.
Cameras caught the moment as the rock broke apart when it hit Martian ground, a cool reminder of how quick thinking keeps these missions rolling, even millions of kilometers from home.