NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity continues its trek toward the long-term destination of Endeavour Crater.
The camera system toted by the robot can view portions of Endeavour Crater’s rim on the horizon. During stops, Opportunity is also using its microscope gear to study the texture of the martian surface (see photo on right).
Opportunity has rolled past the estimated halfway point of the approximately 19-kilometer (11.8-mile) journey from its last surveyed feature — Victoria Crater — to the much larger Endeavour Crater.
Opportunity began the trip from Victoria to Endeavour in September 2008 after two years of exploring in and around Victoria. Thanks to observations by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Endeavour crater’s rim contains clay minerals.
This finding makes the site an even more compelling science destination. Clay minerals, which form exclusively under wet conditions, have been found extensively on Mars from orbit, but have not been examined on the surface.
By the way, talk about extended warranty!
Opportunity completed its three-month prime mission on Mars in April 2004. The robot has been operating in extended mission mode since then.
By LD/CSE