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ZL2VAL > ROVERS 19.02.04 12:42l 74 Lines 3133 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 020548ZL2VAL
Read: OE5AKM GUEST
Subj: Rovers Status, 18th Feb
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<DB0MRW<DB0FOR<DB0SIF<DB0EA<DB0RES<ON0AR<ZL2BAU<ZL2BAU<
ZL1AB<ZL2AB
Sent: 040219/1111Z @:ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC #:36148 [New Plymouth] FBB7.00g
From: ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
To : ROVERS@WW
Update: Spirit and Opportunity
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPIRIT UPDATE: Spirit Does a "Wheel Wiggle" - sol 45, Feb 18, 2004
Spirit began sol 45, which ended at 11:17 a.m. February 18, 2004 PST, at
its previous target, Halo, by conducting analysis with the alpha
particle x-ray spectrometer, microscopic imager and Moessbauer
spectrometer. Spirit also took panoramic camera images and miniature
thermal emission spectrometer observations before its arm was stowed for
the northeast drive toward a circular depression dubbed Laguna Hollow.
The first 19 meters of the drive toward Laguna Hollow was commanded
using go-to waypoint commands with the hazard avoidance system turned
off. This mode - which was used for the first time this sol - provides
automatic heading correction during a blind drive. Some fine-tuning
toward the target brought the total drive for this sol to 22.7 meters
(74.5 feet).
After reaching Laguna Hollow, Spirit "wiggled" its wheels to disturb or
scuff the fine dust-like soil at this location, which allows for more
detailed observations with the instruments on the robotic arm. After
adjusting position to put the disturbed soil in reach of the arm, Spirit
backed up and completed a miniature thermal emission spectrometer scan
of the new work area. Before the sol ended, Spirit made one more
adjustment, putting it in perfect position to analyze the scuffed area
beginning on sol 46
The plan for sol 46, which will end at 11:57 a.m., February 19, 2004
PST, is to conduct observations on Laguna Hollow with the instruments on
the robotic arm, including some higher resolution analysis that will
involve an overnight tool change.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Peering into the Hole - sol 24, Feb 18, 2004
On sol 24, which ended at 10:59 p.m. Tuesday, PST, Opportunity used
science instruments on its robotic arm to examine the hole it dug with
its right front wheel on sol 23. The trench is about 50 centimeters (20
inches) long by 20 centimeters (8 inches) wide by 10 centimeters (4
inches) deep.
Sol 24's wake-up music was "Trench Town Rock" by Bob Marley.
The plan for sol 25, which will end at 11:38 p.m. Wednesday, PST, is to
continue examining the walls and floor of the trench for clues about the
history of Mars. Opportunity will also peek at its right front wheel
with the panoramic camera to see what materials got stuck on the wheel
from the trenching activity. Then, Opportunity will use the panoramic
camera high on the rover's mast to check out a former piece of itself --
the heat shield, which is sitting off in the distance. The heat shield
protected the rover during cruise and during descent through the
atmosphere on Jan. 4, 2004, PST.
=========================
73 de Alan, (Sysop ZL2AB).
AX25:ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
APRS:!3903.34S/17406.45E]
IP :zl2val@qsl.net
Message timed: 00:05 on 2004-Feb-20 (NZT)
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Points to ponder
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
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