[meteorite-list] Mars Exploration Rover Update - April 19, 2004

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:31:15 2004
Message-ID: <200404201624.JAA26949_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status.html

SPIRIT UPDATE: 'Missoula Crater' in Sight - sol 102-104,
Apr 19, 2004

Spirit had a busy weekend, culminating with a 75-meter
(246-feet) drive toward "Missoula Crater" on sol 103,
which ended at 2:33 a.m. PST on April 18. The sol before
the drive, Sol 102, which ended at 1:54 a.m. on April 17,
was an easier day for Spirit. Its main objectives were to
use the panoramic camera and mini thermal emission
spectrometer to acquire photometric and atmospheric
measurements.

Before beginning the drive on sol 103, Spirit took
panoramic camera images to help planners localize the
rover during the long traverse. It then used the
panoramic camera and mini thermal emission spectrometer
to take a look back at the wheel tracks. Once this
information was onboard, the rover began to drive.

Rover controllers planned the first 37 meters (121.4 feet)
of the drive, but Spirit used the updated autonomous
navigation software to see it through the remaining 38
meters (124.7 feet). Between the two drives, Sprit imaged
its surroundings with the panoramic and navigation cameras
for context. At the end of the 75-meter (246-feet) drive,
Spirit rested a mere 40 meters (131.2 feet) from its
destination at the rim of "Missoula Crater." From that
spot, it took mini thermal emission spectrometer
observations of the sky and ground along with panoramic
and navigation camera images to plan the next drive.

Sol 104, which ended at 3:13 a.m. PST on April 19, was a
remote sensing day for Spirit. It included a search for
dust devils and panoramic camera imaging of Mars' moon
Phobos as it transits across the sun and sets.
Received on Tue 20 Apr 2004 12:24:20 PM PDT