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

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon Sep 19 11:22:02 2005
Message-ID: <200509191520.j8JFKMd19469_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

SPIRIT UPDATE: Testing Command Communications - sol 599-605,
Sept 16, 2005:

Spirit has continued observations on the top of "Husband Hill," using
the microscopic imager, alpha particle X-ray spectrometer and Moessbauer
spectrometer on a target informally called "Irvine." Spirit has also
completed three complicated drive sols. It is in position for doing work
with the tools on the robotic arm in upcoming sols. During two nights,
Spirit observed the moons Phobos and Deimos.

Also this week, Spirit performed two tests to validate the ability to
send commands to Spirit via the Mars Odyssey orbiter through the rover's
UHF (ultra-high frequency) radio. Downlink through the Odyssey UHF relay
has been the principal means for getting data from Spirit. The new tests
are for communicating the other direction: sending commands to Spirit
via Odyssey UHF relay. The first test was similar to a 1-sol plan; the
second contained multiple sequences that simulated a more complicated
3-sol planning day. The team sent old sequences and confirmed that the
commands made it onboard the rover, and then the team deleted the files.
The first test was successful, and the team is anticipating data to come
down from the second test.

Sol-by-sol summaries:

Sol 599 (Sept. 9, 2005): Spirit approached the target Irvine on the
feature "Putative Dike." The drive was complex because the rover
planners needed to make sure Spirit stayed out of the mast occlusion (or
stop) zone.

Sol 600: Spirit deployed the robotic arm, took pictures with the
microscopic imager, then placed the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer on
a target. Spirit switched to the Moessbauer spectrometer at 10:30 in the
morning, Mars local solar time, for continued observations.

Sol 601: Spirit performed a 24-hour Moessbauer spectrometer integration
and made overnight observations of Phobos and Deimos.

Sol 602: Spirit performed another 24-hour Moessbauer spectrometer
integration.

Sol 603: Spirit drove 16 meters (53 feet), followed by a 4-meter
(13-foot) drive using autonomous navigation. Spirit then performed an
Odyssey UHF (ultra-high frequency) relay test.

Sol 604: Spirit performed targeted remote sensing operations.

Sol 605: Spirit successfully completed a complicated drive, including
scuffing and turning. This was followed by another UHF (ultra-high
frequency) test, and then overnight miniature thermal emission
spectrometer observations. Spirit also entered restricted sols.
(Restricted sols occur when the timing of the communications pass from
the Odyssey orbiter is too late in the Earth day to gather vital
location and health information about the rover after it executed recent
commands. The team back on Earth must wait until the next day to find
out where and how the rover is.)

As of the end of sol 605, (Sept. 15, 2005), Spirit has driven 4,935
meters (3.07 miles).
Received on Mon 19 Sep 2005 11:20:22 AM PDT