[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Opportunity Update: August 10-17, 2011

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:53:42 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <201108192353.p7JNrgZM014573_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Opportunity's Studying Small Crater on Rim of
Large Crater /- sols 2682-2689, August 10-17, 2011:

Opportunity has begun the exploration of the rim of Endeavour crater.

The rover is examining the ejected material from a small crater on the
rim of Endeavour, named "Odyssey." This small crater has exhumed and
exposed the ancient Noachian material of Endeavour's rim. Opportunity is
in the process of approaching a large block of ejected material for
further in-situ (contact) investigation.

On Sols 2683 and 2685 (Aug. 11 and 13, 2011), the rover performed a pair
of drives to position herself for a close approach to the rock target.
On Sol 2688 (Aug. 16, 2011), the planned approach drive stopped early
because the rover's visual odometry could not measure progress
accurately due to a lack of visual features in the camera field of view.
The approach to the rock target is rescheduled in the plan ahead. There
was a modest dust cleaning event between Sols 2681 and 2683 (Aug. 9 and
Aug. 11, 2011).

As of Sol 2689 (Aug. 17, 2011), solar array energy production was 399
watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 1.03 and a slightly
improved solar array dust factor of 0.569.

Total odometry is 20.83 miles (33,519.03 meters, or 33.52 kilometers).
Received on Fri 19 Aug 2011 07:53:42 PM PDT