[X] My Assistant

[briv1016]

Assuming that there are no MGS type anomalies and funding holds out (according to NASA's FY09 budget, the current extension ends in September); how much longer can Odyssey remain operational with the fuel onboard?

(I know you guys are strict about starting new threads, but I couldn't find any other thread related to this topic.)

[TheChemist]

It probably is Doug. Citing from the above article :

Odyssey
"The Odyssey mission is in excellent health, with none of its avionics redundancy yet exercised. With 37 kg of fuel remaining and fuel use at a level of less than 1 kg/year, it is possible that Odyssey could continue to provide relay services well into the next decade."

MGS
"Current orbit operations have achieved very efficient fuel usage at the level of 1–2 kg/year; with over 8 kg of usable propellant available, operation through the time frame of the Phoenix 2007 mission is very likely; operations through the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory is possible but less certain."

Since the article was published in 2006, two years of fuel should be substracted for current estimations.

*Edit*. Pardon the accidental necrology ....

[MahFL]

MGS died......