[meteorite-list] Mars Exploration Rovers Update: November 13-19, 2009

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:19:10 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <200911202119.nAKLJA4o003525_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

SPIRIT UPDATE: Extrication Attempt Begins - sols 2084-2090,
Nov. 13-19, 2009:

Spirit has begun her long-awaited extrication process.

The first commanded motion was on Sol 2088 (Nov. 17, 2009). Two straight
forward steps of 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) each were sequenced. However, due
to a hair-trigger limit on the rover tilt, the drive stopped as soon as
it began and no discernable motion in the rover was observed.

With improved value for the rover tilt, the same two-step motion was
sequenced on Sol 2090 (Nov. 19, 2009). Spirit successfully completed the
first step of the planned motion. The second step was not performed
because Spirit exceeded the 1-centimeter (0.4-inch) three-dimensional
distance limit that was imposed in the plan. The center of the rover
moved approximately 12 millimeters (0.5 inch) forward, 7 millimeters
(0.3 inch) to the left and about 4 millimeters (0.2 inch) down. The
rover tilt changed by around 0.1 degree. Small forward motion was
observed with the non-operable right-front wheel. The left-front wheel
showed indications of climbing.

It is cautioned that these motions are too small to establish any trends
at this time. The plan ahead is to continue forward driving once all the
necessary analysis is complete and reviewed.

As of Sol 2090 (Nov. 19, 2009), Spirit's solar-array energy production
is 346 watt-hours, with an atmospheric opacity (tau) of 0.517 and a dust
factor of 0.588. Total odometry is 7,729.97 meters (4.80 miles).

------------------------------------------------------------------------

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: 'Marquette' Study Begins - sols 2063-2068,
Nov. 12-17, 2009:

Opportunity has been investigating a rock called "Marquette Island."

The rover approached the rock on Sol 2063 (Nov. 12, 2009) and has been
using the Moessbauer (MB) spectrometer and alpha particle X-ray
spectrometer (APXS) to collect measurements on the rock to assist in
determining the rock composition. Opportunity also has taken close-up
images using the microscopic imager (MI) on Sol 2065 (Nov. 14, 2009).

The rock abrasion tool (RAT) on the arm will lightly brush the rock to
reveal the surface beneath the layer of dust. After receiving the
results of the RAT brush, the science team will decide whether to look
even deeper into the rock by grinding a couple of millimeters (about a
tenth of an inch) down into it and performing additional science
observations.

There has also been extensive imaging of the surrounding rocks around
Marquette. The elevation mirror shroud of the miniature thermal emission
spectrometer (Mini-TES) is being opened when appropriate with the
expectation of eventual dust cleaning. No dust cleaning of the Mini-TES
mirror has been noted yet.

As of Sol 2068 (Nov. 17, 2009), Opportunity's solar-array energy
production was 385 watt-hours, with an atmospheric opacity (tau) of
0.482 and a dust factor of 0.530. Total odometry was 18,906.82 meters
(11.75 miles).
Received on Fri 20 Nov 2009 04:19:10 PM PST