Opportunity has discovered another large (0.5-meter) meteorite. The rover began the approach to this new meteorite, called “Shelter Island,” with a 28-meter backward drive on Sol 2022.
On Sol 2024, Opportunity turned around with a 2-meter drive to face the meteorite. A final 1-meter bump on Sol 2027 put the meteorite within the work volume of the rover robotic arm (IDD).
In-situ (contact) measurements are now being planned. Motor currents in the right front wheel continue to remain well behaved.
As of Sol 2028, the solar array energy production was 449 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (tau) of 0.638 and a dust factor of 0.5695.
Total odometry as of Sol 2028: 17,962.44 meters
