Opportunity's 'Marquette' study continues

The science team is theorizing this rock could be either be a type of meteorite that Opportunity has never seen before or it could be ejecta from deep within the Martian crust that might provide clues to Mars' geologic past.

The rover completed Mössbauer (MB) spectrometer and Alpha-Particle-X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) measurements on a rock target named "Peck Bay" last week. Peck Bay was also lightly brushed by the Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT), which removed a layer of dust on the rock to expose the material beneath.

To gain additional information on Marquette Island, Opportunity has repeated the same set of measurements on an adjacent target called "Islington Bay." The miniature thermal emission spectrometer (Mini-TES) elevation mirror shroud is being opened when appropriate with the expectation of eventual dust cleaning. No dust cleaning of the Mini-TES mirror has been noted yet.

As of Sol 2075 (Nov. 24, 2009), the solar array energy production was 371 watt-hours, with an atmospheric opacity (tau) of 0.512 and a dust factor of 0.520. Total odometry was 18,906.82 meters (11.75 miles).

Opportunity used the wire brush of its rock abrasion tool during the rover's 2,070th Martian day, or sol (Nov. 19, 2009), to scour dust from a circular target area on a rock called "Marquette Island." The brushed target area, called "Peck Bay," is visible as a dark circle about 5 centimeters (2 inches) in diameter just below the tool turret at the end of the rover's robotic arm in this image. The image was taken later the same sol by the rover's front hazard-avoidance camera. Opportunity is performing an extensive analysis of this rock, which initial investigation suggests may be a stony meteorite. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Spirit's extrication attempt continues

The Spirit team is continuing with the process of attempting to extract her from her embedded location at Troy on the west side of Home Plate.

On Sol 2092 (Nov. 21, 2009), a two-step 5-meter (16 feet) forward motion was commanded. After the rover completed about 4 meters (13 feet) of wheel spin, a stall occurred in the right-rear wheel. Telemetry suggested that the wheel was bogging down.

On Sol 2095 (Nov. 24, 2009), a series of diagnostic tests on the right-rear wheel was commanded. The test results indicated a fully functioning right-rear wheel free of obstruction. As part of the diagnostics, a short (1.5 meter) forward drive of the rover was commanded. The rover moved forward about 2 millimeters (0.08 inch). The plan ahead is to continue with extrication. Another 5-meter (16 feet) two-step drive is planned for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

As of Sol 2095 (Nov. 24, 2009), the rover solar array energy production was 325 watt-hours, with an atmospheric opacity (tau) of 0.590 and a dust factor of 0.575. Total odometry is 7,730.00 meters (4.80 miles).

Source: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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