[meteorite-list] Mars Exploration Rover Update - June 16, 2004

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed Jun 16 21:32:07 2004
Message-ID: <200406170132.SAA24021_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

SPIRIT UPDATE: Spirit Reaches the 'Columbia Hills!' - sol 156-158,
June 16, 2004

On sol 156, Spirit roved 42 meters (138 feet) closer to a vantage
point where it could observe the hill outcrops. Some of the images
that Spirit sent back revealed a small and unusual rock that
piqued scientists' interest and was informally named
"End-of-Rainbow."

Part of the sol 157 plan was to observe End-of-Rainbow and use
the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer, Mossbauer spectrometer
and microscopic imager to study the "Shredded" soil target.
However, the command load for sol 157 never made it to Spirit.
Further analysis indicated that the problem had to do with the
frequency drift associated with the colder temperatures on Mars
as the planet moves into its southern winter season. This was
an anticipated problem, and the rover team has already imposed
some strategies that will help to prevent the problem in the
future.

So, Spirit got a break on sol 157 and began sol 158 with nicely
charged batteries. She executed the activities originally
planned for sol 157, and then began to drive a bit closer to
End-of-Rainbow. Although the direct path to End-of-Rainbow
would be only a 4-meter (13 feet) drive, it was deemed too steep
and hazardous by the rover team, so they planned a multi-stepped
drive that could get the rover to the target safely. On sol 158,
the first part of the drive was completed, putting Spirit a
little farther away from the End-of-Rainbow target, but with a
straight shot to the rock for sol 159.
Received on Wed 16 Jun 2004 09:31:55 PM PDT