[meteorite-list] Mars Exploration Rovers Update: November 11-17, 2010

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:29:40 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <201011192029.oAJKTenf029410_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

SPIRIT UPDATE: Spirit Remains Silent at Troy - sols 2438-2444,
November 11-17, 2010:

Spirit remains silent at her location on the west side of Home Plate. No
communication has been received from the rover since Sol 2210 (March 22,
2010).

The project continues to listen for Spirit with the Deep Space Network
and Mars Odyssey orbiter for autonomous recovery communication from the
low-power fault case. The project is also conducting a paging technique
called "Sweep & Beep" strategy to stimulate the rover in the case of a
mission-clock fault.

Total odometry is unchanged at 7,730.50 meters (4.80 miles).

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

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Opportunity Checks out Intrepid Crater - sols
2418-2423, November 12-17, 2010:

Opportunity has been navigating through a field of small impact craters
on her way to Endeavour crater.

Opportunity has exceeded 25 kilometers (15 miles) of odometry on the
surface of Mars!

The rover spent a few days imaging the interior of Intrepid crater, one
of a collection of small impact craters in this area. On Sol 2420 (Nov.
14, 2010), Opportunity departed Intrepid, driving over 116 meters (381
feet) and crossing the 25-kilometer odometry mark. During the drive, the
rover collected some mid-drive imaging of Intrepid from a different
vantage point.

The Stardust safe-mode entry affected Deep Space Network coverage for
the Odyssey orbiter, which delayed the return of some relay data for
Opportunity. As of Sol 2422 (Nov. 16, 2010), solar array energy
production was 596 watt-hours with a slightly elevated atmospheric
opacity (Tau) of 0.769 and a solar array dust factor of 0.670.

Total odometry is 25,063.18 meters (25.06 kilometers, or 15.57 miles).
Received on Fri 19 Nov 2010 03:29:40 PM PST