NASA rover low on power from Martian dust storm

November 12, 2008

Artist's concept of Mars Exploration Rover

(AP) -- NASA's Spirit rover, which is nearing its fifth year on Mars, is struggling to survive after a dust storm sapped its power, mission scientists said Tuesday.



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ijeffrey
Nov 12, 2008

Rank: 3.8 / 5 (4)
Is it that complicated to build a wiper to clear the dust for the solar panels?
holmstar
Nov 12, 2008

Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
Is it that complicated to build a wiper to clear the dust for the solar panels?


No, I'm sure it's not. You have to remember that these rovers were only designed to last 90 days. If they were designed to last longer i expect they would have included some sort of dust cleaning mechanism.
Doug_Huffman
Nov 12, 2008

Rank: 1.5 / 5 (4)
NASA is preparing for the Obaminable and inevitable budget cuts. Prepare to be assimilated by the BOG. Resistance to Obamination is futile.

The demos (that's Greek and not acronym) want their trickle-down economics to start lower down the socioeconomic scale.
OOTWOguy
Nov 12, 2008

Rank: 4 / 5 (2)
This was bound to happen, but it is a sad day nevre-the-less. So much was gained by having these rovers up there. Maybe soon there will be other great alternatives.
Aaron, COO-OOTWO @ www.ootwo.com
Aphexcoil
Nov 13, 2008

Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
ijeffrey,

The dust storm isn't depositing sand ON the solar panels -- it is in the atmosphere blocking sunlight from getting to the solar panels.

Have you ever been in a bad dust storm on Earth? It can become pitch black.

Localized dust devils actually help clear the solar panels -- it has happened many times during this mission.

And yes, it is difficult to put "wipers" on the solar panels. There is a lot more that could go wrong than go right when you add additional moving parts (all of which need some form of heating to remain operational).
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