From Newsgroup: sci.space.news


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

OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Climbing Steeper Slopes to Reach Science Targets
- sols 4269-4275, January 26, 2016-February 02, 2016:

Opportunity is exploring 'Marathon Valley' on the rim of Endeavour crater.
The rover is climbing up steep slopes to reach high-value science targets
up on 'Knudsen Ridge.'

Opportunity performed the first of two steep climbs on Sol 4269 (Jan.
26, 2016), with just less than 16 feet (5 meters) for progress on slopes nearing 30 degrees. On the next sol, the rover ascended further up slope
about 14 feet (4.4 meters) reaching tilts just under 30 degrees. For the
next fives sols Opportunity conducted extensive Navigation Camera (Navcam)
and Panoramic Camera (Pancam) imaging surveys of the potential rock targets and ridge outcrop in front of the rover in preparation for extensive in-situ (contact) science campaigns on the geologic units high up on this ridge
line.

As of Sol 4275 (Feb. 2, 2016), the solar array energy production was 498 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.459 and a solar array
dust factor of 0.683.

Total odometry is 26.51 miles (42.66 kilometers), more than a marathon.

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