[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Opportunity Update: July 29 - August 4, 2011

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Aug 2011 14:01:02 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <201108052101.p75L12MY014677_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Nearing First Landfall of Large Crater -
sols 2670-2676, July 29 - August 4, 2011:

Opportunity is now only about 120 meters (394 feet) from "Spirit Point,"
the first landfall on the rim of Endeavour crater.

The rover drove four times in the last week on Sols 2670, 2671, 2674 and
2676 (July 29, 30, Aug. 2 and Aug. 4, 2011), totaling over 370 meters
(0.23 miles) of drive distance and exceeding over 33 kilometers (20.5
miles) in total odometry. The right-front wheel currents remain behaved.
On Sol 2672 (July 31, 2011), Opportunity performed an overnight alpha
particle X-ray spectrometer (APXS) spectrum of atmospheric argon. On Sol
2673 (Aug. 1, 2011), the rover used the autonomous AEGIS software to
look for interesting outcrops. The AEGIS software was awarded the NASA
2011 Software of the Year Award. The plan ahead is more driving to reach
Spirit Point.

As of Sol 2675 (Aug. 3, 2011), solar array energy production was 385
watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 1.03 and a solar array
dust factor of 0.537.

Total odometry is 33,227.58 meters (33.23 kilometers, or 20.65 miles).
Received on Fri 05 Aug 2011 05:01:02 PM PDT