Mars rover suffers computer reboots
Posted: Tue, Apr 14, 2009, 6:58 AM ET (1058 GMT)
One of the twin NASA rovers that have been exploring the Martian surface for over five years is suffering from an unexplained series of computer reboots, JPL reported Monday. The rover Spirit rebooted its computer at least twice over the weekend, and had some irregular communications sessions with the Earth over that time, project officials said. Other systems on the rover, including its batteries and solar panels, are operating normally, and the reboots do not appear to be jeopardizing the overall condition of the rover. Project engineers said that the computer reboots may be an "age-related effect" and are considering switching to alternative communications systems to avoid having the reboots affect operations of the rover's high-gain antenna. Spirit's twin, Opportunity, is also in good health, and recently experienced a 40 percent increase in the electrical output of its solar panels after winds removed accumulated dust from the panels.
One of the twin NASA rovers that have been exploring the Martian surface for over five years is suffering from an unexplained series of computer reboots, JPL reported Monday. The rover Spirit rebooted its computer at least twice over the weekend, and had some irregular communications sessions with the Earth over that time, project officials said. Other systems on the rover, including its batteries and solar panels, are operating normally, and the reboots do not appear to be jeopardizing the overall condition of the rover. Project engineers said that the computer reboots may be an "age-related effect" and are considering switching to alternative communications systems to avoid having the reboots affect operations of the rover's high-gain antenna. Spirit's twin, Opportunity, is also in good health, and recently experienced a 40 percent increase in the electrical output of its solar panels after winds removed accumulated dust from the panels.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, February 12
Philip Plait on the Wonders of the Universe
The Browser — 7:00 pm ET (0000 GMT) Young girl's curiosity of science leads to becoming first African-American woman in space
US Air Force — 6:58 pm ET (2358 GMT) Cleveland-built testing equipment ready for space
AP — 6:57 pm ET (2357 GMT) Out of this world! Video shows spectacular view of moon and Northern Lights from space
The Daily Mail — 6:56 pm ET (2356 GMT) Final ‘go’ for Vega launch
ESA — 10:27 am ET (1527 GMT) |