[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Opportunity Update: Feb 27 - Mar 5, 2013

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2013 09:59:57 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <201303131659.r2DGxvvh023062_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Opportunity Examining Rock Surfaces After Reset -
sols 3234-3240, Feb. 27, 2013-Mar. 05, 2013:

Opportunity is exploring different locations around the inboard edge of
'Cape York' on the rim of Endeavour Crater.

On Sol 3235 (Feb. 28, 2013), the rover experienced a warm reset
triggered by the flight software when the rover attempted to write into
the Flash file system. This behavior is similar to what was seen with
Spirit as the Flash file system control block becomes corrupted with
extended use. As a result of the reset, the rover stops all active
sequences and operates in a state called Automode. Automode is a stable
and safe state for the rover with daily wake ups and communication
sessions with both X-band and Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) relay, but no
active science sequences.

On Sol 3236 (March 1, 2013), as a result of the reset, an X-band fault
with the high-gain antenna occurred, but this was expected from the
reset. The project team sent real-time commands to the rover on Sol 3237
(March 2, 2013), to clear the faults, upload new sequences and activate
those new sequences. The commanding worked as expected and Opportunity
is operating nominally under master sequence control. The project is
continuing its vigilance of the Flash memory situation. If the Flash
situation deteriorates further, reformatting the Flash file system, as
what was done with Spirit, is an option for full recovery.

Opportunity returned to science activity with some robotic arm work on
Sol 3239 (March 4, 2013). The rover first placed the Alpha Particle
X-ray Spectrometer on the surface target 'Lihir' for a short
integration, then collected a Microscopic Imager mosaic of the same
target, followed again by another placement of the APXS for a longer
integration. With that science done, Opportunity drove over 108 feet (33
meters) due south on Sol 3240 (March 5, 2013), returning to a location
called 'Kirkwood.' The plan ahead is to conduct some in-situ (contact)
science on the 'newberries' seen before in this location.
As of Sol 3240 (March 5, 2013), the solar array energy production was
498 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.798 and a solar
array dust factor of 0.580.

Total odometry is 22.13 miles (35615.79 meters).
Received on Wed 13 Mar 2013 12:59:57 PM PDT