[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Opportunity Update: October 29 - November 6, 2014

[Ron Baalke]

http://mars.nasa.gov/mer/mission/status.html#opportunity

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE:  Dust Levels Back to Normal  - sols 3827-3834, 
October 29, 2014-November 06, 2014:

Opportunity is on the west rim of Endeavour Crater heading towards 'Marathon 
Valley,' a putative location for abundant clay minerals about a mile (1.6 
kilometers) to the south.

The rover has completed the investigation of the Ulysses crater and is 
exiting the ejecta field to resume the strategic drive south. The regional 
dust storms that had raised atmospheric opacity (tau) have abated and 
the tau is returning to normal seasonal levels. On Sols 3827 and 3828 
(Oct. 29 and Oct. 30, 2014), Opportunity drove 38 feet (11.6 meters) and 
39 feet (12.0 meters), respectively in rocky terrain to exit the Ulysses 
crater ejecta field.

On Sol 3829 (Oct. 31, 2014), the rover again drove to complete the exit 
from the ejecta field, but high slip terminated the drive after just 5 
feet (1.5 meters). A careful assessment indicated the rover was safe and 
the cause of the slip was the high slopes and loose soil.

On Sol 3832 (Nov. 3, 2014), a modified drive of over 105 feet (32 meters) 
permitted the rover to safely exit the ejecta field. On Sols 3833 and 
3834 (Nov. 4 and Nov. 6, 2014), Opportunity headed south with drives of 
106 feet (32.4 metes) and 132 feet (40.25 meters) respectively. The project 
has also implemented a more advanced diagnostic for amnesia events, if 
any occur. The rover continues in good health.

As of Sol 3834 (Nov. 6, 2014), the solar array energy production was 505 
watt-hours with an improved atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 1.359 and a solar 
array dust factor of 0.711.

Total odometry is 25.45 miles (40.95 kilometers).