NASA: Storm that silenced Mars Opportunity rover has finally settled

NASA: Storm that silenced Mars Opportunity rover has finally settled

6 years ago
Anonymous $L9wC17otzH

https://www.cnet.com/news/nasa-storm-that-silenced-mars-opportunity-rover-has-finally-settled/

The space agency measures the atmospheric opacity, known as "tau," to determine how much dust is swirling around in the Martian sky. It's at a level of 0.8, down from 10.8 on June 10, when NASA last heard from the rover. NASA uses its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to monitor the atmosphere from above.

Communication attempts continue. NASA has sent over 250 recovery commands to the rover, with no response. We are in a windy season for Mars, which gives some hope that winds could clean off Opportunity's solar panels and allow it to recharge and get back in touch with Earth.