Sol 601 Update On Curiosity From USGS Scientist Ken Herkenhoff: Closest Approach14 April 2014
On April 14th, Mars made its closest approach to Earth this year. In addition, by chance, Earth's moon is totally eclipsed on the same night, very close in the sky to similarly red Mars. What a beautiful sight! Mars' proximity to Earth makes radio communications easier in general, but relay of data from MSL through the Mars orbiters to Earth is primarily constrained by the position of the orbiters in the sky over MSL. Communication from Earth to MSL is more affected by the Mars-Earth distance, but despite the close approach there was another problem sending commands to the rover last weekend, and therefore the planned contact science and drive did not occur.