Opportunity Brushing and Examining an Outcrop

MARSDAILY

File image.

by Staff Writers
Pasadena CA (SPX) Apr 04, 2009
Opportunity remains positioned on an exposed rock outcrop, continuing an "in situ" (contact) science campaign with the robotic arm (IDD).

On Sol 1832 (March 20, 2009), the first part of a rock abrasion tool (RAT) brushing activity was performed. Using a new work-around for the failed RAT Z-encoder, the RAT successfully performed a seek-scan to locate the rock surface.

On the next sol, the RAT successfully brushed the surface. The Microscopic imager (MI) took images to document the brushing. The Mossbauer (MB) spectrometer was placed on the brushed target, and several sols of integration were performed.

On Sol 1836 (March 24, 2009), the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer (APXS) was placed on the brushed target to measure the elemental composition. On Sol 1837 (March 25, 2009), another RAT seek-scan was performed to set up for a RAT grind on the next sol.

As of Sol 1837 (March 25, 2009), Opportunity's solar array energy production is 336 watt-hours. Atmospheric opacity (tau) remains elevated at 1.145.

The solar array dust factor is 0.497, meaning that 49.7 percent of sunlight hitting the solar array penetrates the layer of accumulated dust on the array.

Opportunity is in good health. Its total odometry remains at 15,051.44 meters (9.35 miles).

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MARSDAILY

Spirit Sets Distance Record For Five-Wheel Driving

Pasadena CA (SPX) Apr 04, 2009
Spirit is making good progress around Home Plate to the west. After getting clear of troublesome rocks, Spirit drove 13.8 meters (45.3 feet) on Sol 1854 (March 21, 2009).

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