Wheel Trouble, ...down to 5 good wheels? |
Wheel Trouble, ...down to 5 good wheels? |
Mar 14 2006, 12:29 AM
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#1
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 90 Joined: 13-January 05 Member No.: 143 |
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I just heard that there is a serious problem with Spirit's right front drive actuator after yestersol's drive. (This is the actuator that had high currents in the past and led to the backward-driving strategy.) It will take awhile to evaluate the situation, but early speculation is grim.
In a worst-case scenario, they can still drag the bum wheel along, but don't expect another summit view. Best-case scenario would be a rock or debris jammed in the wheel. This is a heads-up, sorry I can't really give more info at this time. I still thought you all would like to know. |
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Mar 16 2006, 06:17 PM
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#2
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Member Group: Members Posts: 510 Joined: 17-March 05 From: Southeast Michigan Member No.: 209 |
I'm sure the MER engineers will be able to squeeze more meters out of future 5 wheel drives, so I don't think Spirit will turn into a lander mission just yet. It just looks like I'll have to give up my hope of seeing a pan from Spirit at the mouth of Ma'adim Vallis
-------------------- --O'Dave
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Mar 16 2006, 06:46 PM
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#3
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Dublin Correspondent Group: Admin Posts: 1799 Joined: 28-March 05 From: Celbridge, Ireland Member No.: 220 |
I'm sure the MER engineers will be able to squeeze more meters out of future 5 wheel drives, so I don't think Spirit will turn into a lander mission just yet. It just looks like I'll have to give up my hope of seeing a pan from Spirit at the mouth of Ma'adim Vallis That may be hoping for too much but I don't think that losing one wheel is catastrophic. The 4m progress rate is more a consequence of the visodm drive mode. In a fully planned or blind drive she should be able to go further if and when the circumstances and terrain allow. On the plus side the rovers are scheduled to get a software upgrade in June. So the planning is still for the long term. |
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Mar 16 2006, 08:46 PM
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2488 Joined: 17-April 05 From: Glasgow, Scotland, UK Member No.: 239 |
On the plus side the rovers are scheduled to get a software upgrade in June. So the planning is still for the long term. Oh no! Not Vista! Can Autostitch make Blue Screen Of Death screens into panoramas? Bob Shaw -------------------- Remember: Time Flies like the wind - but Fruit Flies like bananas!
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