[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Opportunity Update: September 21-28, 2011

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2011 13:53:48 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <201110042053.p94KrmdA000226_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Opportunity Studies Rock Interior -
sols 2723-2730, September 21-28, 2011:

Opportunity is still positioned at the target called "Chester Lake" at
Cape York on the rim of Endeavour crater. The rover continues with the
in-situ (contact) science investigation of the surface rock called
"Salisbury 1."

On Sol 2726 (Sept. 24, 2011), the previously ground Rock Abrasion Tool
(RAT) hole was re-brushed to remove excessive tailings. Microscopic
Imager (MI) images were collected confirming the successful brushing.
The Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) was placed down on the
target for a post-brush integration.

On Sol 2729 (Sept. 27, 2011), the APXS was retracted from the RAT hole,
a Pancam 13-filter image set was taken. Then, along with more MI images,
a test of the MI poker was performed. The test results indicate normal
operation of the poker. The M?ssbauer (MB) spectrometer was placed down
in the hole for a multi-sol integration.

As of Sol 2729 (Sept. 27, 2011), solar array energy production was 313
watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.882 and a solar array
dust factor of 0.514.

Total odometry is 20.86 miles (33,574.75 meters, or 33.58 kilometers).
Received on Tue 04 Oct 2011 04:53:48 PM PDT