Energy News  
MARSDAILY
Opportunity Completes In-Situ Work on 'Aguas Calientes'
by Staff Writers
Pasadena CA (JPL) Apr 03, 2018

RAT at work

Opportunity is continuing the exploration of "Perseverance Valley" on the west rim of Endeavour Crater.

The rover is positioned about halfway down the approximately 656 feet (200-meter) valley. Opportunity is investigating the surface target called, "Aguas Calientes," an exposed rock outcrop. Although the target had been ground already, the science team wanted to grind "Aguas Calientes" another 2 millimeters deeper.

On Sol 5032 (March 20, 2018), the Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) was placed back into the ground hole and ground further. During the grind the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) reported a questionable flag.

However, the IMU was tested again on Sol 5035 (March 24, 2018) and was found to be healthy. After the deeper grind, the Microscopic Imager (MI) collected a mosaic of the grind and then the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) was placed for a multi-sol integration.

The rover also collected a set of 13-filter Panoramic Camera (Pancam) images of selected targets. On Sol 5035 (March 24, 2018), the robotic arm offset the APXS for further integrations, along with the IMU test, and imaged the RAT bit for wear.

No additional bit wear was seen after the grind. By Sol 5038 (March 27, 2018), the in-situ (contact) work on "Aguas Calientes" was finished and the rover bumped away about 7.5 feet (2.3 meters).

As of Sol 5038 (March 27, 2018), the solar array energy production was 670 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.524 and an improved solar array dust factor of 0.830.

Total odometry is 28.04 miles (45.12 kilometers).


Related Links
Opportunity Archive at JPL
Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com
Lunar Dreams and more


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


MARSDAILY
Opportunity making extensive study of rock target Aguas Calientes
Washington DC (SPX) Mar 28, 2018
Opportunity is continuing the exploration of "Perseverance Valley" on the west rim of Endeavour Crater. The rover is positioned about half way down the approximately 656 feet (200-meter) valley. Opportunity is engaged in an extensive in-situ (contact) science campaign on the surface target called "Aguas Calientes," an exposed rock outcrop. After previously brushing the surface, on Sol 5026 (March 14, 2018), the rover used the robotic arm (IDD) to collect a Microscopic Imager (MI) mosai ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

MARSDAILY
A space window to electrifying science

Taking the Pulse of Greenhouse Gases

NASA renews focus on Earth's frozen regions

The saga of India's remote sensing satellite network

MARSDAILY
China sends twin BeiDou-3 navigation satellites into space

Indra Expands With Four New Stations The Ground Segment Managing Galileo Satellites

GMV leads a project for application of EGNOS to maritime safety

Why Russia is one step ahead of US Army's plans for future GPS

MARSDAILY
Soil fungi may help determine the resilience of forests to environmental change

Drought-induced changes in forest composition amplify effects of climate change

Palm trees are spreading northward - how far will they go?

Amazon deforestation is close to tipping point

MARSDAILY
Sewage sludge leads to biofuels breakthrough

New insights into how cellulose is built could indicate how to break it

Wood pellets: Renewable, but not carbon neutral

Insects could help us find new yeasts for big business

MARSDAILY
New Contract Airborne to supply 48 Solar Array Panels for Galileo Satellites

DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions Inks Collaboration with Envision

Hybrid plasmonic and pyroelectric harvesting of light fluctuations

Researchers refute 20-year-old assumptions in solar cell production

MARSDAILY
The Evolution of Wind Power in 2017

China considering energy storage mandate for wind

Detection, deterrent system will help eagles, wind turbines coexist better

BP sees onshore wind as the cheapest future source of electricity

MARSDAILY
Michigan utility company to go zero coal

Australia won't fund mega Adani mine rail link

New York unveils plans for fossil fuel divestment

French energy company EDF to replace coal in China

MARSDAILY
Vatican-affiliated Chinese bishop arrested: report

China court accuses Anbang boss of stealing billions as trial opens

Street art makes a splash in Hong Kong

China to reorganise propaganda efforts at home and abroad









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.