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ZL2VAL > ROVERS 29.07.04 13:32l 79 Lines 3300 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : E70127ZL2VAL
Read: GUEST
Subj: Status, 27/28th July
Path: DB0FHN<DB0MRW<DB0RGB<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<ZL2BAU<ZL2BAU<ZL2AB
Sent: 040729/1109Z @:ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC #:44664 [New Plymouth] FBB7.00g
From: ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
To : ROVERS@WW
Update: Spirit and Opportunity
*SPIRIT UPDATE:
Spirit Survives 200 Sols! - sol 198-200, July 28, 2004
On sol 198, Spirit completed a long overnight reading by the Mössbauer
spectrometer on a rock target called "Sabre," then ground a second rock
abrasion tool hole on a target called "Mastodon." The alpha particle
X-ray spectrometer was placed in the fresh hole in preparation for a
reading, which was started during the overnight Odyssey communication
pass.
On sol 199, Spirit completed a 6-hour early morning alpha particle X-ray
spectrometer reading on Mastodon. After a midday nap to conserve energy,
Spirit took pictures with the microscopic imager to create a mosaic of
the rock abrasion tool hole. Spirit then placed the Mössbauer instrument
in the hole and began a 20-hour overnight reading.
Sol 200, ending on July 26, was a busy day for Spirit. Spirit completed
the overnight Mössbauer reading on the rock abrasion tool hole, took a
midday nap, stowed the arm, bumped back to take pictures and readings of
the hole with the panoramic camera and miniature thermal emission
spectrometer, then drove about 52 feet (16 meters). Due to the nature of
the terrain, the drive was done in 6-wheel mode to minimize errors
(rather than the current standard 5-wheel mode to conserve the aging
right front wheel). Engineers carefully targeted Spirit's drive to end
in a location with favorable tilt to the north to point the solar panels
toward the Sun, giving Spirit as much power as possible as the Sun hangs
low in the sky during martian winter.
Spirit will continue to drive up the Columbia Hills and search for more
rock outcroppings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*OPPORTUNITY UPDATE:
Opportunity Pokes Around Pig - sol 174-176, July 27, 2004
On sol 174, Opportunity completed close-up examination of a rock target
called "Arnold Ziffel" using the rover's microscopic imager, Mössbauer
spectrometer and alpha particle X-ray spectrometer. All observations
were successful.
Leaving Arnold Ziffel on sol 175, Opportunity backed up to capture an
image the results of the close-up work, and then moved on down slope to
a new target. This move will leave the rover about 13 meters (about 43
feet) down from the lip of the crater. The rover was put into
deep-sleep, energy-saving status overnight from sol 175 to sol 176.
Sol 176, ending on July 23, was a driving day. Opportunity moved down
the slope (and east) to a position to investigate a target called
"Diamond Jenness." Everything executed as planned, leaving the rover in
a great position to grind into the target with its rock abrasion tool.
The engineering team is looking into a concern about the driving
surface. The downslope pavement requires close examination before the
rover traverses, to ensure the sand covering the pavement is still
capable of supporting Opportunity. Recent experience has shown up to 30
percent slip.
=========================
73 de Alan, (Sysop ZL2AB).
AX25:ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
IP :zl2val@qsl.net
APRS:!3903.34S/17406.45E]
Message timed: 23:00 on 2004-Jul-29
Wackiest Warning Labels Ever
----------------------------
* A label with a hair dryer reads, "Never use hair dryer while sleeping."
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