Investigating The Heatshield |
Investigating The Heatshield |
Jan 1 2005, 12:21 PM
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Founder Group: Chairman Posts: 14432 Joined: 8-February 04 Member No.: 1 |
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Jan 6 2005, 04:57 PM
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The Insider Group: Members Posts: 669 Joined: 3-May 04 Member No.: 73 |
Actually there are radioisotope units on board the rovers, eight of them, but they are used for heating and not power generation.
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/sc_...mp_heaters.html Main reason is probably that the whole thing was designed as a unit, and it doesn't make sense to include an expensive, heavy power system to a rover that has other systems (wheels, gears, science instruments, etc) having less designed lifetime. In other words, to really make use of the RTGs, all other components must be designed to work for extended periods as well, increasing the cost and design time of the rover beyond what was budgeted and needed. |
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