[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Opportunity Update: May 4-10, 2016

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 13 May 2016 16:59:14 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <201605132359.u4DNxE3t006886_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

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

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Microscopic Imaging Camera on Robotic Arm Back to
Normal Operations - sols 4365-4371, May 04, 2016-May 10, 2016:

Opportunity is exploring 'Marathon Valley' on the rim of Endeavour
crater, searching specific outcrops for evidence of clay minerals.

The rover is currently conducting an in-situ (contact) science
investigation on an outcrop target dubbed 'Pierre Pinaut.' The imaging
problems we were experiencing previously were traced to a sequencing
error, and Opportunity has returned to normal operations as of the Sol
4367 (May 6, 2016), plan.

In that plan we recaptured the Microscopic Image (MI) mosaic of the Rock
Abrasion Tool (RAT) grind from Sol 4363 (May 2, 2016), and discovered
that the grind had not gone deep enough. Therefore, a further grind (to
a desired depth of 2-3 millimeters) was performed in the Sol 4370 (May
9, 2016), plan. This appears to have been successful and an MI mosaic of
the new RAT hole is planned for Sol 4372 (May 11, 2016). In addition,
multiple APXS integrations have been performed on both the previous and
current RAT holes during this period.

As of Sol 4371 (May 10, 2016), the solar array energy production is 653
watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.458 and a solar array
dust factor of 0.752.

Total odometry is 26.58 miles (42.78 kilometers), more than a marathon.
Received on Fri 13 May 2016 07:59:14 PM PDT