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Spirit Update: Examining Target 'Olive Leaf'
Pasadena CA (SPX) Sep 11, 2009 Spirit is continuing remote sensing and in situ science while positioned at her embedded location on the west side of Home Plate. On Sol 2015 (Sept. 3, 2009), a Moessbauer (MB) integration was completed on target "Olive Leaf." On the next sol, a rock abrasion tool (RAT) calibration and a RAT diagnostics were performed, then the APXS was placed on Olive Leaf for an overnight integration. On the sol after that, the robotic arm (instrument deployment device, or IDD) positioned the microscopic imager (MI) to take an image of the capture magnet on the rover deck. Then the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer (APXS) was placed on that magnet for a multi-sol integration. The panoramic camera (Pancam) was busy taking 13-filter images of "Scamander Plains" and documentary images of the rover deck. Ground testing continued at JPL with tests using the Mars-weight surface system testbed (SSTB Lite) rover with its center-of-gravity over a rock. As of Sol 2021 (Sept. 3, 2009), Spirit's solar-array energy production is 418 watt-hours, with an increased atmospheric opacity (tau) of 1.65 and a dust factor of 0.669. Rover power plans have been conservative because of the elevated atmospheric opacity. Total odometry remains at 7,729.93 meters (4.80 miles). Share This Article With Planet Earth
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Opportunity Continues Meteorite Examination - Sol 1981-1987Pasadena CA (SPX) Aug 31, 2009 Opportunity is continuing its contact investigation of the 70-centimeter (28-inch) meteorite called "Block Island." On Sol 1981 (Aug. 20, 2009), the rover performed a very small rotation that moved the robotic arm (instrument deployment device, or IDD) in azimuth to reach new targets on the meteorite. On the next sol, the IDD collected a stack of microscopic imager (MI) images of ... read more |
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