[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Opportunity Update: May 09-17, 2012

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 09:43:37 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <201205241643.q4OGhbRk001894_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Opportunity Drives to Dusty Patch of Soil -
sols 2948-2955, May 09-17, 2012:

The rover drove on Sols 2949, 2951, 2953 and 2955 (May 10, 12, 14 and
17, 2012), totaling just over 46 feet (13.9 meters).

The rover is positioning to reach a pristine patch of dust on the
surface. The plan ahead is to use the robotic arm instruments to
investigate the patch of dust. Dust covers much of Mars and this patch
is an opportunity to perhaps determine the origin of the dust from its
chemical signature.

As of Sol 2954 (May 16, 2012), solar array energy production was 359
watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.423 and a solar array
dust factor of 0.532.

Total odometry is 21.36 miles (34,380.58 meters).
Received on Thu 24 May 2012 12:43:37 PM PDT