The Storm, Dust storm of 2007 |
The Storm, Dust storm of 2007 |
Jul 5 2007, 05:57 PM
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#101
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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 |
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Jul 18 2007, 05:29 PM
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#102
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The Poet Dude Group: Moderator Posts: 5551 Joined: 15-March 04 From: Kendal, Cumbria, UK Member No.: 60 |
It would be ironic and cruel beyond words if Oppy succumbed to this dust storm after all she's survived to get here. What an adventure she's had so far... Surviving technical difficulties and deadlines on Earth before launch, then surviving the fiery plunge thru Mars' atmosphere, the boing-boing of landing and the "hole in one" bounce into Eagle Crater... countless long treks across the Meridiani desert... getting stuck in Purgatory Dune... the loooooong drive south the Victoria... and now, just when she was days away from entering the crater, and fulfilling what many see as her destiny - to explore the interior of the huge martian crater - the Great Ghoul of Mars, that has claimed so many other probes, finally turns its gaze on little Oppy and stops her in her tracks...
Hang in there Oppy, don't look at the sky... -------------------- |
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