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ZL2VAL > ROVERS 25.06.04 13:21l 83 Lines 3718 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 030063ZL2VAL
Read: GUEST
Subj: Status, 22/23 June
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0MRW<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<7M3TJZ<ZL2BAU<ZL2BAU<ZL1AB<
ZL2AB
Sent: 040625/1016Z @:ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC #:42831 [New Plymouth] FBB7.00g
From: ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
To : ROVERS@WW
Update: Spirit and Opportunity
SPIRIT UPDATE: 'Pot-of-Gold' Revealed - sol 161-163, June 23, 2004
Spirit currently sits at the base of the "Columbia Hills" in an area
called the "Hank Moore Hollow." This area has a collection of intriguing
rocks on its rim, one of which, "Pot-of-Gold," will be the first target
for scientists' observations.
Spirit used the microscopic imager to get an up close view of
Pot-of-Gold on sol 161, but unfortunately, the images were out of focus.
Rover planners attribute the blurry shots to a lower than expected rock
contact prior to the imaging sequence. Spirit did successfully acquire
Mössbauer observations of Pot-of-Gold on this sol.
On sol 162, Spirit was commanded to retake the microscopic images of
Pot-of-Gold and do extensive observations with the Mössbauer and alpha
particle X-ray spectrometer instruments. The microscopic images were
successfully obtained, but a positioning fault of the instrument
deployment device prevented the Mössbauer and alpha particle X-ray
spectrometer observations from executing.
Spirit successfully completed the work with its instrument deployment
device on sol 163, and took some additional microscopic images of
Pot-of-Gold.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Edging Down 'Endurance' - sol 141-143, June 22, 2004
Opportunity is showing no signs of middle age as it continues to work in
"Endurance Crater." The rover has spent the last few sols inching
farther down into the crater, making observations and pushing the
limits. Managing resources as the rover's tilt angle changes is
challenging and keeps the rover planning team very busy.
On sol 141 Opportunity completed post-rock abrasion tool Moessbauer
spectrometer observations on the rock called "Tennessee." Having spent
the last four sols investigating Tennessee, Opportunity stowed its arm
and moved deeper into Endurance Crater. A 0.70-meter (2.3 feet) drive
positioned the vehicle to begin observations on the first contact point,
a transition between two different geologic layers. As it turns out,
after arriving at the rover's new location and taking images, there
appears to be not one contact point, but three contact points all within
reach of the arm. Opportunity then performed 2.5 hours of remote
observations using the panoramic camera and miniature thermal emission
spectrometer. The rover then went into deep sleep mode for the night.
On sol 142 Opportunity begin another series of microscopic imager
observations on three different targets: "Bluegrass," "Siula Grande" and
"Churchill." The rover then performed alpha particle X-ray spectrometer
and Mössbauer spectrometer integrations overnight.
On sol 143 Opportunity again used its rock abrasion tool, but not
without some consternation from the uplink team. In order to grind using
the rock abrasion tool, a minimum of force must be used to push the tool
onto the target. With the vehicle tilted 23.2 degrees, there was concern
that applying too much force could cause the vehicle to lose traction on
the slope and slide farther into the crater, possibly damaging the arm.
Concerns were pacified when the rock abrasion tool operation worked
flawlessly, abrading approximately 3 millimeters (about 0.12 inches)
into the rock called "Cobble Hill."
=========================
73 de Alan, (Sysop ZL2AB).
AX25:ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
IP :zl2val@qsl.net
APRS:!3903.34S/17406.45E]
Message timed: 22:15 on 2004-Jun-25
Wackiest Warning Labels Ever
----------------------------
A 5-inch fishing lure with three nasty steel hooks advises it
is "Harmful if swallowed." Too bad fish can't read!
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