[meteorite-list] Mars Exploration Rovers Update - February 18, 2004

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:31:24 2004
Message-ID: <200402182300.PAA08046_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

SPIRIT UPDATE: Spirit Does a "Wheel Wiggle" - sol 45, Feb 18, 2004

Spirit began sol 45, which ended at 11:17 a.m. February 18, 2004 PST,
at its previous target, Halo, by conducting analysis with the alpha
particle x-ray spectrometer, microscopic imager and Moessbauer
spectrometer. Spirit also took panoramic camera images and miniature
thermal emission spectrometer observations before its arm was stowed
for the northeast drive toward a circular depression dubbed Laguna
Hollow.

The first 19 meters of the drive toward Laguna Hollow was commanded
using go-to waypoint commands with the hazard avoidance system turned
off. This mode - which was used for the first time this sol -
provides automatic heading correction during a blind drive. Some
fine-tuning toward the target brought the total drive for this sol to
22.7 meters (74.5 feet).

After reaching Laguna Hollow, Spirit "wiggled" its wheels to disturb
or scuff the fine dust-like soil at this location, which allows for
more detailed observations with the instruments on the robotic arm.
After adjusting position to put the disturbed soil in reach of the
arm, Spirit backed up and completed a miniature thermal emission
spectrometer scan of the new work area. Before the sol ended, Spirit
made one more adjustment, putting it in perfect position to analyze
the scuffed area beginning on sol 46.

The plan for sol 46, which will end at 11:57 a.m., February 19, 2004
PST, is to conduct observations on Laguna Hollow with the instruments
on the robotic arm, including some higher resolution analysis that will
involve an overnight tool change.


OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Peering into the Hole - sol 24, Feb 18, 2004

On sol 24, which ended at 10:59 p.m. Tuesday, PST, Opportunity used
science instruments on its robotic arm to examine the hole it dug with
its right front wheel on sol 23. The trench is about 50 centimeters
(20 inches) long by 20 centimeters (8 inches) wide by 10 centimeters
(4 inches) deep.

Sol 24's wake-up music was "Trench Town Rock" by Bob Marley.

The plan for sol 25, which will end at 11:38 p.m. Wednesday, PST, is
to continue examining the walls and floor of the trench for clues
about the history of Mars. Opportunity will also peek at its right
front wheel with the panoramic camera to see what materials got stuck
on the wheel from the trenching activity. Then, Opportunity will use
the panoramic camera high on the rover's mast to check out a former
piece of itself -- the heat shield, which is sitting off in the
distance. The heat shield protected the rover during cruise and
during descent through the atmosphere on Jan. 4, 2004, PST.
Received on Wed 18 Feb 2004 06:00:42 PM PST