[meteorite-list] Mars Exploration Rover Update - December 14, 2007

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2007 16:57:46 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <200712170057.QAA16266_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

SPIRIT UPDATE: Spirit Scouts "Home Plate" for Safe Haven -
sol 1390-1397, December 14, 2007:

Spirit has arrived at the north edge of "Home Plate." The rover will
spend the next few Martian days, or sols, scouting the edge of Home
Plate and acquiring images of the slopes to determine the best site for
"Winter Haven 3," where Spirit will try to survive another season of
minimal sunlight. Once the team selects a site, Spirit will drive down
the north-facing edge of Home Plate and maneuver into position to
achieve the highest northerly tilt possible.

Power levels are dropping rapidly, partly because the sun continues its
retreat north on its way to winter solstice, and partly because the
landscape tilts slightly southward near the rim. Drive sols are so
precious and few, the team has been working long hours and weekends to
make the most of the remaining sunlight.

Sol-by-sol summary:

In addition to receiving morning instructions directly from Earth via
the high-gain antenna, sending evening data to Earth at UHF frequencies
via the Odyssey orbiter, and measuring atmospheric dust levels with the
panoramic camera, Spirit completed the following activities:

Sol 1390 (Nov. 30, 2007): Spirit drove in search of Winter Haven 3 and
acquired post-drive images with the navigation camera. Spirit acquired
full-color images, using all 13 filters of the panoramic camera, of the
low, sandy area nicknamed "Tartarus." The rover surveyed Tartarus with
the miniature thermal emission spectrometer and surveyed the horizon
with the panoramic camera.

Sol 1391: Spirit continued to drive in search of Winter Haven 3 and
acquire post-drive images with the navigation camera. The rover assessed
atmospheric opacity caused by suspended dust with the navigation camera.
Spirit acquired a mosaic of images with the panoramic camera and
monitored dust accumulation on the rover mast assembly.

Sol 1392: Spirit drove in search of Winter Haven 3 and acquired a
post-drive image mosaic and a rearward-looking image mosaic with the
navigation camera.

Sol 1393: Spirit continued to drive in search of Winter Haven 3. Spirit
acquired a post-drive image mosaic and a rearward-looking image mosaic
with the navigation camera. The rover also completed a survey of rock
clasts and a systematic ground survey with the panoramic camera.

Sol 1394: Spirit drove in search of Winter Haven 3 and acquired
post-drive and rearward-looking image mosaics with the navigation
camera. Spirit also acquired an image mosaic of Home Plate with the
panoramic camera.

Sol 1395: Spirit drove in search of Winter Haven 3 and acquired
post-drive images with the navigation camera. Spirit acquired a mosaic
of panoramic camera images of a target known as "Hummock" and a
rearward-looking mosaic of navigation camera images.

Sol 1396: Spirit continued driving in search of Winter Haven 3. The
rover acquired post-drive and rearward-looking image mosaics with the
navigation camera. Spirit completed a survey of rock clasts and a
systematic ground survey with the panoramic camera.

Sol 1397 (Dec. 8, 2007): Plans called for Spirit to continue driving in
search of Winter Haven 3, acquire post-drive images with both the
navigation and panoramic cameras, and conduct a systematic ground survey
as well as acquire spot images of the sky with the panoramic camera.

Odometry:

As of sol 1397 (Dec. 8, 2007), Spirit's total odometry was 7495.15
meters (4.66 miles).
Received on Sun 16 Dec 2007 07:57:46 PM PST