[X] My Assistant

[Mark Adler]

Opportunity just clicked over a bunch of zeros on the odometer this afternoon. The current reading is 10,023.19 m.

[djellison]

10,000 metres - I think that means it neads a new roadworthiness test..a. Martian MOT - I'll have to sort that out, I know a friendly mechanic.

For a vehicle that's spent a LOT of time stationary if you consider Purgatory and Olympia, and with a requirement of 600m...10k is frankly a biblical achievment.

Doug

[Mark Adler]

For a vehicle that's spent a LOT of time stationary if you consider Purgatory and Olympia, and with a requirement of 600m...10k is frankly a biblical achievment.

Yes, in fact I was thinking about all the negotiating we did over the 600 m requirement. But while the 10,000 m is beyond remarkable in total stamina (way beyond the life qualification on the motor drives for example), it's actually pretty close to the original 600 m requirement in speed. That 600 m was over 90 sols. Considering how long it's been there, I get an average of 850 m per primary mission -- not a huge amount more than the original 600 m requirement.

[djellison]

I get an average of 850 m per primary mission

Imagine landing 4k south of Eagle right into Purgatory....that Primary mission would have SUCKED

Doug