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Opportunity Gets A Boost Of Energy And Continues Imaging
Pasadena CA (SPX) May 03, 2007 Scientists and engineers are still deciding on when and if Opportunity will enter "Victoria Crater." In the meantime, Opportunity has a lot to accomplish, such as driving back to the area of its original arrival at Victoria, approximately 600 meters away (over one-third of a mile). In addition, Opportunity must complete checkouts of its new technologies such as the D-star hazard avoidance path planner, Visual Target Tracking, and IDD (robotic arm) auto-place. Also, on the way to "Duck Bay," several imaging campaigns require completion at the "Cape of Good Hope" and "Cape St. Mary." Currently Opportunity is conducting long-baseline stereo imaging of "Cape St. Vincent" from a perch on the edge of "Tierra del Fuego." On sol 1157 the rover will drive north approximately 35 meters (115 feet) to a collection of rocks called "Granada" for a D-star test. On sols 1151 and 1152 Opportunity experienced a modest dust-cleaning event. The wind cleared the solar arrays of enough dust to result in approximately 75 Watt-hours more energy per sol. Sol-by-sol summary: In addition to Opportunity's daily science observations, the rover completes routine panoramic camera tau measurements and miniature thermal emission spectrometer sky and ground stares. Sol 1152 (April 21, 2007): On this sol, Opportunity's panoramic camera took images, including a 13-filter image of target "Jaen." The miniature thermal emission spectrometer stared at targets: "Badajoz," "Castellon," "Coruna," "Rioja" and Jaen. The alpha particle X-ray spectrometer checked for atmospheric argon. The panoramic camera then looked to the sky and the navigation camera looked for clouds. Sol 1153: Opportunity stowed its robotic arm and then drove to the first-eye position for long baseline. The rover took post-drive images with its panoramic and navigation cameras. Overnight the rover sent data through Mars Odyssey. Sol 1154: This sol involved a handful of miniature thermal emission spectrometer sky and ground stares. The panoramic camera looked at the sky and the navigation camera searched for clouds. Sol 1155: Opportunity began to take the first eye of long-baseline stereo image of Cape St. Vincent. The robotic arm was then stowed and the rover drove 6 meters (19.7 feet) northwest to second eye position. The rover then unstowed its arm and took post-drive images with its navigation and panoramic cameras. The navigation camera also looked for clouds and monitored for dust on the rovers panoramic mast assembly (the "head" and "neck"). Overnight, the rover sent data through Mars Odyssey. Sol 1156: On this sol, the miniature thermal emission spectrometer stared at its external calibration target and then conducted a long sky stare. The instrument also completed stares on targets "Melilla" and "Canarias." The rover's panoramic camera took a pre-sunset image and then surveyed the sky. The navigation camera looked for clouds. Opportunity's total odometry as of sol 1155 is 10,509.41 meters (6.53 miles). Related Links Mars Rovers at JPL Mars Rovers at Cornell Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com Lunar Dreams and more
Spirit Discovers Changes In Soil Near Home Plate
Pasadena CA (SPX) May 02, 2007Spirit remains healthy after completing scientific investigation of a light-toned soil patch nicknamed "Everett." Everett is interesting because scientists thought it would be rich in sulfur like other soil exposures they've investigated. Instead, it turned out to be low in sulfur and ultramafic in composition -- made of iron- and magnesium-rich silicate, a chemistry often associated with volcanic rocks. Everett appears to be different from other materials the rover has encountered around "Home Plate." |
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