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ZL2VAL > ROVERS 20.03.04 10:27l 91 Lines 4059 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 090668ZL2VAL
Read: GUEST
Subj: Status, 19th March
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0MRW<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<7M3TJZ<ZL2TZE<ZL2AB
Sent: 040320/0806Z @:ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC #:37801 [New Plymouth] FBB7.00g
From: ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
To : ROVERS@WW
Update: Spirit and Opportunity
SPIRIT UPDATE: 'Stub Toes' Won't Stop Spirit - sol 74, Mar 19, 2004
Spirit began the morning of Sol 74, which ended at 6:25 a.m. PST on
March 19, 2004, by completing an alpha particle X-ray spectrometer
integration on the target "Panda," inside the scuff on "Serpent" drift.
Then Spirit placed the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer back down on
the target "Polar" for a 30-minute integration. During that integration,
Spirit took some images of disturbed soil with the panoramic camera, and
acquired some ground temperatures with the miniature thermal emission
spectrometer. Spirit then switched the tools on its robotic arm to the
Moessbauer spectrometer for an hour-long integration on Polar. During
that integration, the rover took some sky and ground measurements with
the mini thermal emission spectrometer. Spirit finished its arm
activities for the day by acquiring three microscopic images of Polar
and three more of Panda.
Starting around 12:35 p.m. Mars Local Solar time, Spirit made a direct
drive of about six meters (19.7 feet) to another section of the Serpent
drift complex, called "Stub Toe." There the rover repeatedly scuffed the
drift and advanced .15 meters (half a foot) in a series of five "scuff
and drives." After the five scuffs and advances were made, Spirit roved
forward another 3 meters (9.8 feet) and then looked back over its
shoulder using the mini thermal emission spectrometer and navigation
cameras to analyze the damage. The rover continued along the Bonneville
crater rim with a 16-meter direct drive, and then an auto-navigation
drive for 9 meters (29.5 feet). Spirit completed a final set of drives
to set up for a touch and go on sol 75 at around 2:10 p.m. Mars Local
Solar time. The total amount of driving for sol 74 was an impressive
34.3 meters (112.5 feet).
Spirit then took navigation camera and panoramic camera images of the
drive directions for planning the sol 75 traverse. The rover acquired
some mini thermal emission spectrometer reconnaissance images and then
took a 30-minute siesta before the afternoon Odyssey relay pass. During
that pass, Spirit used the mini thermal emission spectrometer to acquire
a sky profile and ground temperature observations.
On sol 75, which will end at 7:05 a.m. PST on March 20, 2004, Spirit
will place the microscopic imager on a soil target and drive about 22
meters (72.2 feet) around the Bonneville crater rim. Spirit will also
conduct atmospheric observations with the mini thermal emission
spectrometer and panoramic camera.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Two Down, Three to Go - sol 53, Mar 18, 2004
On sol 53, which ends at 6:07 p.m. PST on March 18, Opportunity first
completed the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer work from yestersol and
then continued to study the second soil survey target with the
Moessbauer spectrometer.
Following an afternoon nap, the rover used its microscopic imager to get
close-up views of the soil. Opportunity then made its way to the third
soil target, which involved a 5-meter (about 16 feet) drive. The alpha
particle X-ray spectrometer was then positioned to examine the magnet
arrays. Preparations were also made to conduct a miniature thermal
emission spectrometer observation of the martian sky at dawn on the next
sol.
"Ice Cream Man" by John Brim woke Opportunity this sol to remind it of
the possible sweet treats that await at targets referred to as
"Chocolate Chip" and "Coconut" in the neighborhood dubbed "Mudpie."
The soil survey will continue in the coming sols.
=========================
73 de Alan, (Sysop ZL2AB).
AX25:ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
APRS:!3903.34S/17406.45E]
IP :zl2val@qsl.net
Message timed: 20:57 on 2004-Mar-20 (NZT)
Message sent using WinPack-AGW V6.80
Points to ponder
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marriage
~~~~~~~~
You know the honeymoon is pretty much over when you start to go out with
the boys on Wednesday nights, and so does she.
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