NASA Mars Rover Opportunity Update – Jan 31 – Feb 5, 2013

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Rover ‘Walkabout’ Continues at Cape York – sols 3208-3213, Jan. 31, 2013-Feb. 05, 2013:

Opportunity is conducting the post-walkabout in-situ (contact) science campaign on the inboard edge of Cape York on the rim of Endeavour Crater.

On Sol 3208 (Jan. 31, 2013), the rover collected a Microscopic Imager (MI) mosaic of the target ‘Fullerton2,’ which was then followed by the placement of the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) for an overnight integration. On the next sol, the Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) was used the brush the same target and collect another MI mosaic and overnight APXS integration.

With work complete at this target location, Opportunity drove north on Sol 3212 (Feb. 4, 2013), with an approximate 116 foot (35.5-meter) drive. On the following sol, the rover bumped into position with a 15 foot (4.5-meter) move for some new in-situ work. No ‘amnesia’ events with the Flash file system have occurred since Sol 3183 (Jan. 6, 2013), and the rover is otherwise in good health.

As of Sol 3212 (Feb. 4, 2013), the solar array energy production was 554 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.926 and a solar array dust factor of 0.643.

Total odometry is 22.07 miles (35521.75 meters).