All, The rover is limited more by condition of the soil rather than angle of ascent/descent. Engineers feel they can safely tackle a 15 degree angle, but they are going to always err on the side of caution with this precious asset.
They feel that it will be no problem getting out of the current crater they are in - unless the soil is a problem. Soil tests will be the first thing done upon rover Opportunity's landing on the surface - we still have to egress from the lander platform. Greg Redfern JPL NASA Solar System Ambassador http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/index.html International Meteorite Collectors Association #5781 http://www.meteoritecollectors.org/ Member Meteoritical Society http://www.meteoriticalsociety.org/ -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of mark ford Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 4:14 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [meteorite-list] Opportunity has landed! Well done Nasa nice landing. Take a look at the soil slide marks on the bottom left of this picture http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/opportunity/20040125a/Panca m_Sol1_Postcard_part.jpg Don't they just look so much like wet mud. Notice the tiny holes that have appeared in the soil? Bizzare. I think Marcia may have an Interesting point when she talked about Moisture absorbtion due to Lawercite type reactions, if the chief metal in the soil is Iron (Heametite), add some water and Oxygen and you have a gloopy liquid held in suspension that would have a significany higher evaporation point.. I presume the rover will be able to make it up the steep crater slope? Anyone know what it's maximum climb angle is? Mark F. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information contained in this email may be commercially sensitive and/or legally privileged. It is intended solely for the person(s) to whom it is addressed. If you are not a named recipient, you are on notice of its status. Please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and then delete this message from your system. You must not disclose it to any other person, copy or distribute it or use it for any purpose. ______________________________________________ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list ______________________________________________ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
