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Taking The Opportunity To Evaluate New Driving Capabilities
Pasadena CA (JPL) Jun 09, 2007 Opportunity performed on sol 1194 a Visual Target Tracking (VTT) technology checkout (drive software) on a target called "Paloma." This VTT checkout tested VTT in combination with other drive software, Autonav and Visodom. The first segment was a blind (no Autonav or Visodom) VTT drive to back away from the target. The second segment combined VTT and Visodom to drive towards the target. The third segment combined VTT and Autonav to continue driving towards the target. Sol-by-sol summary: Sol 1194: Opportunity took a tau measurement then had a look at the sky and ground with its miniature thermal emission spectrometer. The rover then stowed its arm and conducted a test of its new drive software, VTT (visual target tracking). The VTT drive checkout was about 6.8 meters (22 feet). Post-VTT drive, the rover took navigation camera images of its tracks then drove about 30 meters (98 feet) and unstowed its arm. After that drive, the rover took navigation camera images and a post-drive panoramic camera image in the drive direction. Before the Mars Odyssey pass, the rover took another tau measurement. During Odyssey's pass, the rover again used its miniature thermal emission spectrometer to look at the sky and ground Sol 1195: On the morning of this sol, Opportunity took thumbnail images of the sky with its panoramic camera. The rover then did a tau measurement and followed that with an observation of the sky and ground by the miniature thermal emission spectrometer. Sol 1196: Opportunity took a morning panoramic camera image of the horizon. The rover then took a tau measurement and used its miniature thermal emission spectrometer to observe the local sky. Opportunity then stowed its arm, drove and then unstowed its arm. After the drive, the rover took navigation and panoramic camera images. Before the Odyssey pass, the rover took a panoramic camera image. During the Odyssey pass, the miniature thermal emission spectrometer had a look at the sky and ground. Sol 1197: In the morning of this sol, Opportunity monitored for dust. Some regular checks were completed on the much-used miniature thermal emission spectrometer. Opportunity took a tau measurement and then used the miniature thermal emission spectrometer to look at the sky. The panoramic camera then looked at the local foreground using all 13 of its filters. The miniature thermal emission spectrometer also had a look at the foreground and, again, at the sky. The panoramic camera did a sky survey at midday. Sol 1198: On this sol, Opportunity took a tau measurement, then calibrated its miniature thermal emission spectrometer. The rover then stowed its arm, drove and took images with its hazard avoidance cameras. Opportunity then unstowed its arm and took post-drive navigation and panoramic camera images. During the Odyssey pass, Opportunity conducted a routine utility test on its miniature thermal emission spectrometer. Sol 1199: Opportunity's miniature thermal emission spectrometer took a sky and ground observation. The panoramic camera took a tau measurement. The miniature thermal emission spectrometer continued a day of hard work, completing a systematic ground stare and a 7-point sky and ground observation. The panoramic camera also conducted a systematic ground survey of the local area using its 13 filters. Odometry: As of sol 1197 Opportunity's total drive distance is is 11,108 meters (6.90 miles). Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Mars Rovers at JPL Mars Rovers at Cornell Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com Lunar Dreams and more
THEMIS Marks Milestone In Imaging Mars
Tempe, AZ (SPX) Jun 08, 2007The Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) aboard NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter marked a milestone May 4. An image from THEMIS showing Martian lava flows and wind streaks mingling with impact craters, became the 1,200th "Image of the Day" posted online. The Mars Space Flight Facility at ASU operates the site, which is updated every weekday with images and data from THEMIS. The first "Image of the Day" was posted March 27, 2002. |
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