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ZL2VAL > ROVERS 03.03.04 12:04l 75 Lines 3127 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 110583ZL2VAL
Read: GUEST
Subj: Rovers status, 2nd March
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0SIF<DB0EA<DB0RES<ON0AR<ZL2BAU<ZL2BAU<ZL1AB<ZL2AB
Sent: 040303/0856Z @:ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC #:36999 [New Plymouth] FBB7.00g
From: ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
To : ROVERS@WW
Update: Spirit and Opportunity
SPIRIT UPDATE: Grinding, Take Two - sol 58, Mar 02, 2004
On sol 58, which ends at 7:52 p.m., PST on March 2, the planned
four-hour rock abrasion tool grind of "Humphrey" was limited to only 20
minutes. The intricate slopes and cracks of the rock make it a
challenging target for instruments. When sensors indicated a loss of
contact with surface material, the software perceived a problem and the
rock abrasion tool was moved away from the rock. Engineers are amending
the software limits to duplicate the rock abrasion tool's earlier
operation on the rock "Adirondack," giving a higher likelihood of
successful completion on the next sol.
The morning began with the completion of the alpha particle X-ray
spectrometer integration on the previously brushed area. The panoramic
camera then took a multi-spectral observation of the nearby ground,
followed by a Mössbauer spectrometer integration on the same area.
Spirit's Sol 58 wake-up song was "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking
For" by U2 to pay homage to its twin rover's amazing findings of water
evidence at Meridiani Planum.
On sol 59, Spirit will attempt another rock abrasion tool grind on
"Humphrey," followed by detailed observations of the hole.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Let's Go to 'Last Chance' - sol 37, Mar 02, 2004
On sol 37, Opportunity woke up at 9:35 Local Solar Time to "Let's Go" by
the Cars. Opportunity completed the miniature thermal emission
spectrometer and panoramic camera surveys of the rock abrasion tool
holes at "Guadalupe" and "McKittrick," then drove 4.25 meters (14 feet)
to "Last Chance," ending the sol at 7:33 a.m. PST on Tuesday, March 2.
With the moves of a tango dancer, the drive was another intricate study
in, and challenge of, driving on a slippery, steep slope.
The rover was directed to: turn right, go forward, turn right, take
images of "Last Chance," turn right, go forward, turn left, go forward,
turn right, take images of "Big Bend," go straight, turn left and go
straight! Due to the challenges of driving and pirouetting on such a
steep slope (as steep as 22 degrees) the rover found it difficult to
maintain a perfectly straight course, and Opportunity came up shy and
right of the "Last Chance" target by about 30 centimeters (about one foot).
The plan for sol 38, which will end at 8:13 a.m. PST on Wednesday, March
3 is to do a short drive again to get within arm's reach of "Last
Chance." Once in place, Opportunity will use the science instruments on
the end of the robotic arm to analyze "Last Chance."
=========================
73 de Alan, (Sysop ZL2AB).
AX25:ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
APRS:!3903.34S/17406.45E]
IP :zl2val@qsl.net
Message timed: 21:33 on 2004-Mar-03 (NZT)
Message sent using WinPack-AGW V6.80
Points to ponder
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marriage
~~~~~~~~
Getting married is very much like going to a restaurant with friends.
You order what you want, then when you see what the other person has,
you wish you had ordered that
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