[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Opportunity Update: May 5-8, 2013

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 15:31:19 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <201305102231.r4AMVKUV020222_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Making Smallest Turn Yet, As Dust Storm Affects
Rover - sols 3296-3302, May. 05, 2013-May. 08, 2013:

Opportunity is feverishly working to complete analysis of 'Esperance,'
believed to be a phyllosilicate-rich target, before departing for her
winter haven at 'Solander Point' to the south.

On Sol 3296 (May 2, 2013), she attempted the smallest turn in her
history (~0.5 degrees) to get a better position for the rock abrasion
tool (RAT). The turn was successful and use of the RAT commenced on Sol
3301(May 7, 2013).

Complicating the satisfactory completion of the rock Esperance analysis
was the growth of a regional dust storm nearby, which drove the
atmospheric opacity or tau to 1.53 (also on Sol 3301). The tau on Sol
3302 (May 8, 2013), slightly decreased to 1.45, but a close watch is
being kept in case conditions worsen. If atmospheric opacity stabilizes
or continues to decrease, we hope to complete instrument deployment
device (IDD) work and begin driving away by Sol 3309 (May 15, 2013).

Solar array energy on Sol 3302 (May 8, 2013), was 385 watt-hours with an
atmospheric opacity (Tau) measurement of 1.45, and a dust factor of
0.584. All systems are nominal.

Total odometry is 22.15 miles (35.65 kilometers).
Received on Fri 10 May 2013 06:31:19 PM PDT