[meteorite-list] Mars Exploration Rover Update - August 16, 2005

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed Aug 17 11:10:19 2005
Message-ID: <200508171509.j7HF9DV00550_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

SPIRIT UPDATE: Spirit Continues to Climb - sol 565-571, Aug 16, 2005:

Spirit has completed investigations with its robotic arm on "Assembl?e"
rock. The investigation included pictures taken with the microscopic
imager, 92 hours of Moessbauer spectrometer integration, and alpha
particle X-ray spectrometer work on the target "Gruyere." Other
observations included dust devil movies and a panoramic camera image of
the rock abrasion tool bit (which has worn down from extensive use
because Spirit has exceeded its intended lifespan by more than 480 sols).

As of sol 571 (Aug. 11, 2005), Spirit is still approximately 100 meters
(328 feet) from the summit, and the rover will continue driving towards it.

Sol-by-sol summaries:

Sol 565 (Aug. 5, 2005): Spirit took a picture of the bit on the rock
abrasion tool and drove 2.35 meters (7.71 feet) to Assembl?e.

Sol 566: Spirit did remote sensing and used the microscopic imager and
alpha particle X-ray spectrometer to investigate Gruyere on Assembl?e.

Sol 567: Spirit used the Moessbauer spectrometer on Assembl?e for 23
hours and 5 minutes. Spirit also performed targeted remote sensing,
including miniature thermal emission spectrometer stares on four targets
and imaging with the panoramic camera.

Sol 568: Spirit took another Moessbauer spectrometer reading on Assembl?e
for 23 hours and 5 minutes. It also completed panoramic camera imaging
with 13 filters on four targets, and it took a dust devil movie.

Sol 569 and 570: Spirit took more Moessbauer spectrometer readings on
Assembl?e and performed remote sensing.

Sol 571 (Aug. 11, 2005): Spirit used the alpha particle X-ray
spectrometer and microscopic imager on two targets on Assembl?e.

As of the end of its 571st sol on Mars, Spirit has driven 4,691 meters
(2.91 miles).
Received on Wed 17 Aug 2005 11:09:13 AM PDT