Michael Meyer, about Phoenix and MSL |
Michael Meyer, about Phoenix and MSL |
Sep 25 2006, 10:01 AM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 153 Joined: 11-December 04 Member No.: 120 |
http://www.marsdaily.com/reports/Managing_...ssions_999.html
Michael Meyer, lead scientist for NASA's Mars Exploration Program, spoke at the recent Viking anniversary celebration. One remarkable quote: "Considering how long the Spirit and Opportunity rovers have lasted beyond their design lifetimes, it almost boggles the mind to think how long MSL could last. It may be there to greet the astronauts when they arrive on Mars." That's what I call optimism. I always thought that the lifespan of an RTG was pretty predictable and that in case of MSL it lasted for about 2 earth years. Maybe he's talking about the solar array powered version? |
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Guest_Analyst_* |
Sep 25 2006, 06:55 PM
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Guests |
I always thought that the lifespan of an RTG was pretty predictable and that in case of MSL it lasted for about 2 earth years. Maybe he's talking about the solar array powered version? The funny thing about RTGs is there predictable power reduction. They don't die instantly like an empty battery (after i.e. two years). The output decreases very gracefully. The Voyager RTGs are generating today more than half of their output at launch in 1977. So if MSL uses a RTG (I can't imagine it using solar panels and I can't imagine this decision hasn't been taken already.) and if it behaves like the Voyager RTGs and if all the other rover subsystems keep working and if the rover can work with 50 percent power (like MER) it can still be arround after 30 years. A lot of if's. But also a beancounters nightmare. Imagine the 15th mission extension. Analyst |
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