• Mars Rover Opportunity Update: January 26 - February 2, 2016

    From baalke@1:2320/100 to sci.space.news on Fri Feb 5 20:53:54 2016
    From Newsgroup: sci.space.news


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

    OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Climbing Steeper Slopes to Reach Science Targets
    - sols 4269-4275, January 26, 2016-February 02, 2016:

    Opportunity is exploring 'Marathon Valley' on the rim of Endeavour crater.
    The rover is climbing up steep slopes to reach high-value science targets
    up on 'Knudsen Ridge.'

    Opportunity performed the first of two steep climbs on Sol 4269 (Jan.
    26, 2016), with just less than 16 feet (5 meters) for progress on slopes nearing 30 degrees. On the next sol, the rover ascended further up slope
    about 14 feet (4.4 meters) reaching tilts just under 30 degrees. For the
    next fives sols Opportunity conducted extensive Navigation Camera (Navcam)
    and Panoramic Camera (Pancam) imaging surveys of the potential rock targets and ridge outcrop in front of the rover in preparation for extensive in-situ (contact) science campaigns on the geologic units high up on this ridge
    line.

    As of Sol 4275 (Feb. 2, 2016), the solar array energy production was 498 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.459 and a solar array
    dust factor of 0.683.

    Total odometry is 26.51 miles (42.66 kilometers), more than a marathon.

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