[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Opportunity Update: October 7-13, 2011

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:00:44 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <201110192300.p9JN0iL2016035_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Opportunity Keeps Rolling With an Eye on Future
Havens for Next Winter - sols 2738-2744, October 07-13, 2011:

Opportunity is moving generally north across Cape York on the rim of
Endeavour crater with an eye ahead to the next winter.

With her solar arrays dustier and atmospheric opacity higher than in
past years, the winter will be more challenging. So, Opportunity has
been surveying regions with favorable northerly tilts so she can spend
the winter months actively exploring.

On Sol 2738 (Oct. 7, 2011), the rover drove north toward the feature
"Shoemaker Ridge" with a 28-meter (92-foot) drive. On the next sol,
Opportunity continued her scouting trek with a 78-meter (256-foot) drive
to the north-northeast. On Sol 2742 (Oct. 11, 2011), the rover conducted
a reconnaissance of the local area with a zigzag drive totaling almost
40 meters (131 feet). The plan ahead is more northward driving surveying
Cape York.

As of Sol 2744 (Oct. 13, 2011), solar array energy production was 316
watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.791 and a solar array
dust factor of 0.498.

Total odometry is 20.98 miles (33,761.36 meters, or 33.7 kilometers).
Received on Wed 19 Oct 2011 07:00:44 PM PDT