Phoenix lander enters survival mode
Posted: Wed, Oct 29, 2008, 7:20 AM ET (1120 GMT)
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft is starting to shut down some of its systems in a effort to extend the life of the mission by several weeks. The lander, which has operated for five months on the surface of Mars, two months longer than original plans, will soon consume more power than its solar panels can generate because of less sunlight at the landing site as fall approaches. To compensate, mission controllers shut down power to a heater in the lander's arm on Tuesday. The arm has been parked on a "representative patch" of Martian soil and won't be moved again. Other heaters on the spacecraft will be turned off in the coming weeks to reduce power demands while still allowing the spacecraft to operate and turn data from its instruments.
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft is starting to shut down some of its systems in a effort to extend the life of the mission by several weeks. The lander, which has operated for five months on the surface of Mars, two months longer than original plans, will soon consume more power than its solar panels can generate because of less sunlight at the landing site as fall approaches. To compensate, mission controllers shut down power to a heater in the lander's arm on Tuesday. The arm has been parked on a "representative patch" of Martian soil and won't be moved again. Other heaters on the spacecraft will be turned off in the coming weeks to reduce power demands while still allowing the spacecraft to operate and turn data from its instruments.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, July 4
Coolest spacecraft ever in orbit around L2
ESA — 4:24 am ET (0824 GMT) Moonwalker Aldrin says we should colonise Mars
The Herald — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) Interest in space memorabilia takes a leap
Financial Times — 4:22 am ET (0822 GMT) Evidence mounts that Mars was once habitable
Arizona Republic — 4:17 am ET (0817 GMT) First Moon images sent back by Nasa orbiter show incredible details just 10ft across
The Daily Mail — 4:17 am ET (0817 GMT) |