Cape Tribulation (Mars)

Looking north at the southern end of Cape Tribulation (MER-B, 2017)
Annotated map with location of Cape Tribulation, on Endeavour crater's western rim

Cape Tribulation is a section of the Western rim of Endeavour crater on the planet Mars.[1] The MER-B Opportunity rover spent 30 months exploring Cape Tribulation from 2014 to 2017.[2] The top of Cape Tribulation is about 134 meters (440 feet) higher than the plains that surround the crater.[3]

The MER-B Opportunity rover summited Cape Tribulation in January 2015, which was the highest Martian elevation achieved yet on its mission.[4] Then in March 2016 it accomplished the distance of a classic marathon.[5] Also in March 2016 it achieved the steepest slope traverse (32 degree) yet of its mission, surpassing the slope it took on at Burns Cliff in 2004.[6] MER-B was trying to reach a target on Knudsen Ridge, on the south side of Marathon Valley, which meant attempting a steep grade which can cause wheel slippage.[7] Another effect of this angle was that sand and dust that had collected on the rover flowed in streaks over the back of the rover, such was the incline.[7]

Examples of locations:

  • Cape Tribulation Summit
  • Marathon Valley
    • Knudsen ridge[8]
    • Wharton Ridge[9]
  • Spirit of Saint Lois Crater
  • Spirit Mount

Endeavour crater is a 14-mile (23 km) wide crater on Mars, that was explored by the MER-B Rover Opportunity in the 2010s, after landing on the planet in 2004.[10]

  1. ^ "Catalog Page for PIA21497". photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  2. ^ "Catalog Page for PIA21497". photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  3. ^ "Mars Exploration Rover".
  4. ^ "MER-B Opportunity Cape Tribulation Summit Panorama". www.planetary.org. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  5. ^ Northon, Karen (2015-03-25). "Opportunity Mars Rover Finishes Marathon in Just Over 11 Years". NASA. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  6. ^ Greicius, Tony (2016-03-31). "Rover Takes on Steepest Slope Ever Tried on Mars". NASA. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  7. ^ a b mars.nasa.gov. "Rover Takes on Steepest Slope Ever Tried on Mars". Mars planet facts news & images | NASA Mars rover + mission info. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  8. ^ "Steep 'Knudsen Ridge' Along 'Marathon Valley' on Mars (Enhanced Color)". www.jpl.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-10.
  9. ^ "Mars Rover Opportunity's Panorama of 'Wharton Ridge'". www.jpl.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
  10. ^ mars.nasa.gov. "Mars Exploration Rover". mars.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-11.