[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Opportunity Update: March 10-15, 2016

[Ron Baalke]

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Rover Goes Back Downhill - sols 4311-4316, 
March 10, 2016-March 15, 2016.

Opportunity is exploring within 'Marathon Valley' on the rim of Endeavour 
crater. The rover is up on the slopes of 'Knudsen Ridge.'

The primary objective is to examine specific outcrop types for evidence 
of clay minerals. The current objective had been to reach the surface 
science target 'Pvt. Joseph Whitehouse' (named after a member of the Corps 
of Discovery). However, with slopes in excess of 30 degrees and some gravel 
terrain under the wheels, Opportunity was unable to reach the intended 
target.

On Sol 4311 (March 10, 2016), the rover made only 3.5 inches (9 centimeters) 
of progress after almost 66 feet (20 meters) of commanded wheel motion. 
This was the third attempt to reach this very interesting target. In the 
end, the team decided to abandon this target and back away. On Sol 4313 
(March 12, 2016), the rover backed down from this target with a 7-foot 
(2-meter) drive.

Documentary imagery in both Navigation Cameras (Navcams) and Panoramic 
Cameras (Pancams) where collected. An overnight Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer 
(APXS) measure of atmospheric argon was also collected. More readouts 
of Flash memory were performed. On Sol 4316 (March 15, 2016), the rover 
moved further downhill, driving about 22 feet (6.7 meters) north to set 
up for a longer drive towards the next science target along Knudsen Ridge.

As of Sol 4316 (March 15, 2016), the solar array energy production was 
559 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.524 and an improved 
solar array dust factor of 0.760.

Total odometry is 26.51 miles (42.67 kilometers), more than a marathon.