Mars Rovers Opportunity Update – Nov 7-14, 2012

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Survey At ‘Matijevic Hill’ Wrapping Up – sols 3125-3132, Nov. 7, 2012-Nov. 14, 2012:

Opportunity is nearing the completion of the local area survey around the location called “Matijevic Hill” (named in honor of Jake Matijevic) at the inboard edge of Cape York on the rim of Endeavour Crater.

The rover performed three survey drives on Sols 3128, 3131 and 3132 (Nov. 10, 13 and 14, 2012), driving 113 feet (34.5 meters), 52 feet (16 meters), and 28 feet (8.5 meters), respectively. Each drive was preceded by the collection of targeted imagery, and then followed by taking a 360-degree Navigation camera (Navcam) panorama.

On Sol 3126 (Nov. 8, 2012), the rover used the robotic arm to image the Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) bit and to collect a set of Microscopic Imager (MI) “sky flat” calibration images. An atmospheric argon measurement with the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) was performed on Sol 3129 (Nov. 11, 2012). The Mars Odyssey avionics side-swap was successful with the first relay pass with Opportunity on Sol 3129 (Nov. 11, 2012). The relay pass using the new Side-B transceiver on Odyssey was nominal.

As of Sol 3131 (Nov. 13, 2012), the solar array energy production was 596 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.589 and a solar array dust factor of 0.606.

Total odometry is 22 miles (35,404.20 meters).