[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Opportunity Update: October 29 - November 6, 2014

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 11:11:48 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <201411131911.sADJBm8E002947_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://mars.nasa.gov/mer/mission/status.html#opportunity

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Dust Levels Back to Normal - sols 3827-3834,
October 29, 2014-November 06, 2014:

Opportunity is on the west rim of Endeavour Crater heading towards 'Marathon
Valley,' a putative location for abundant clay minerals about a mile (1.6
kilometers) to the south.

The rover has completed the investigation of the Ulysses crater and is
exiting the ejecta field to resume the strategic drive south. The regional
dust storms that had raised atmospheric opacity (tau) have abated and
the tau is returning to normal seasonal levels. On Sols 3827 and 3828
(Oct. 29 and Oct. 30, 2014), Opportunity drove 38 feet (11.6 meters) and
39 feet (12.0 meters), respectively in rocky terrain to exit the Ulysses
crater ejecta field.

On Sol 3829 (Oct. 31, 2014), the rover again drove to complete the exit
from the ejecta field, but high slip terminated the drive after just 5
feet (1.5 meters). A careful assessment indicated the rover was safe and
the cause of the slip was the high slopes and loose soil.

On Sol 3832 (Nov. 3, 2014), a modified drive of over 105 feet (32 meters)
permitted the rover to safely exit the ejecta field. On Sols 3833 and
3834 (Nov. 4 and Nov. 6, 2014), Opportunity headed south with drives of
106 feet (32.4 metes) and 132 feet (40.25 meters) respectively. The project
has also implemented a more advanced diagnostic for amnesia events, if
any occur. The rover continues in good health.

As of Sol 3834 (Nov. 6, 2014), the solar array energy production was 505
watt-hours with an improved atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 1.359 and a solar
array dust factor of 0.711.

Total odometry is 25.45 miles (40.95 kilometers).
Received on Thu 13 Nov 2014 02:11:48 PM PST