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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Dec 24 2006, 10:52 AM
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Founder Group: Chairman Posts: 14434 Joined: 8-February 04 Member No.: 1 |
I thought they did....MSL certainly will, and I know others have, I assumed they all had - my bad.
DOug |
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Dec 24 2006, 11:06 PM
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2488 Joined: 17-April 05 From: Glasgow, Scotland, UK Member No.: 239 |
Strangely, Sojourner's battery was a primary - ie non-rechargeable - battery - the solar panel didn't recharge it; and many allegedly 'non-nuclear' spacecraft have employed 'heaters' which use radioactive decay to heat the vehicle. Funny old world, eh?
Bob Shaw -------------------- Remember: Time Flies like the wind - but Fruit Flies like bananas!
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