NASA Opportunity Mars Rover Update: Nearing A Winter Haven

sols 2771-2777, November 09-16, 2011

The project continues to implement the seasonal plan for Opportunity, which is to winter over on the north end of “Cape York” on the rim of Endeavour Crater where northerly tilts are favorable for solar array energy production.

With recent driving, Opportunity in now in the vicinity of the winter haven location. On Sol 2771 (Nov. 9, 2011), the rover completed some in-situ (contact) science in and around the light-toned vein called “Homestake.” On Sol 2773 (Nov. 12, 2011), Opportunity drove away with over a 164-foot (50-meter) drive to the east/northeast. On Sol 2775 (Nov. 14, 2011), Opportunity headed about 131 feet (40 meters) to the east, taking a dog leg maneuver to avoid a large ripple. Then, on Sol 2777 (Nov. 16, 2011), the rover headed northeast with a drive of a little over 115 feet (35 meters) to approach one of the areas of enhanced northerly slope, a location favorable for winter parking.

As of Sol 2777 (Nov. 16, 2011), solar array energy production was 298 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.696 and a solar array dust factor of 0.486.

Total odometry is 21.33 miles (34,328.09 meters, or 34.33 kilometers).