The Storm, Dust storm of 2007 |
The Storm, Dust storm of 2007 |
![]()
Post
#1
|
|
![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 710 Joined: 28-September 04 Member No.: 99 ![]() |
Oh no...This is getting bad:
The new and potentially bleak outlook is a stark shift from the prognosis earlier this week. The dusty squall has reduced direct sunlight to Mars' surface by nearly 99 percent, an unprecedented threat for the solar-powered robotic explorers. If the storm keeps up and thickens with even more dust, officials fear the rovers' batteries may empty and silence the robotic explorers forever. Opportunity's energy-gathering ability has been slashed to a dangerous 280 watt-hours-enough power to light only three 90-watt light bulbs. "The worst-case scenario is that enough dust in the sky decreases solar energy to the point that we have to shut down too many things to save power," Lemmon said. "The rovers keep their battery alive by keeping their electronics alive." "The reality of the situation is that we're limited as to what we can do from the ground by cutting power use," Callas said. "If it continues to worsen and stay that way, it's a survivability issue for Opportunity. If Mars wants to kill the rovers, it can." http://www.space.com/news/070705_dusty_rovers.html |
|
|
![]() |
![]()
Post
#2
|
|
![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 444 Joined: 1-July 05 From: New York City Member No.: 424 ![]() |
Emily has posted a comprehensive discussion on her blog, with a full transcript of McCuistion's comments.
Most intriguing was this, which I had forgotten: "We have the ability to charge the batteries below 100 Watts. We can do imaging even below 100 Watts. So we can select the instruments we want; we don't communicate with the orbiters as frequently." Emily has also promised to try to obtain more information. TTT |
|
|
![]()
Post
#3
|
|
Newbie ![]() Group: Members Posts: 17 Joined: 25-April 05 From: Pilsen, CZ, EU Member No.: 363 ![]() |
|
|
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 4th June 2024 - 07:47 PM |
RULES AND GUIDELINES Please read the Forum Rules and Guidelines before posting. IMAGE COPYRIGHT |
OPINIONS AND MODERATION Opinions expressed on UnmannedSpaceflight.com are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of UnmannedSpaceflight.com or The Planetary Society. The all-volunteer UnmannedSpaceflight.com moderation team is wholly independent of The Planetary Society. The Planetary Society has no influence over decisions made by the UnmannedSpaceflight.com moderators. |
SUPPORT THE FORUM Unmannedspaceflight.com is funded by the Planetary Society. Please consider supporting our work and many other projects by donating to the Society or becoming a member. |
![]() |