[meteorite-list] Mars Exploration Rovers Update - May 12-18, 2011

[Ron Baalke]

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status.html

SPIRIT UPDATE:  Spirit Remains Silent at Troy - sols 2615-2620, 
May 12-17, 2011:

No communication has been received from Spirit since Sol 2210 (March 22,
2010).

The project is continuing the recovery effort with both Deep Space
Network X-band and ultra-high frequency (UHF) relay communication attempts.

Total odometry is unchanged at 7,730.50 meters (4.80 miles).

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OPPORTUNITY UPDATE:  Endeavour Crater 3 Miles Ahead!  - 
sols 2595-2600, May 13-18, 2011:

Opportunity continues the trek towards Endeavour crater, now less than 4
kilometers (2.5 miles) away. The rover drove on four of the last six sols.

On Sol 2595 (May 13, 2011), Opportunity headed southeast with a drive of
over 91 meters (300 feet). On the next sol, the rover drove further
southeast achieving over 140 meters (460 feet). On Sol 2599 (May 17,
2011), Opportunity headed first southeast then east totaling over 86
meters (282 feet) of distance. On the next sol, the rover drove over 112
meters (367 feet) with a dog-leg maneuver mid-drive so close-up imaging
of a crater could be done. The plan ahead is more diving.

As of Sol 2600 (May 18, 2011), solar array energy production was 406
watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.806 and a solar array
dust factor of 0.528.

Total odometry is 29,709.29 meters (29.71 kilometers, or 18.46 miles).