spacetoday.net: space news from around the webin association with SpaceNews


Dust storm jeopardizes Mars rovers
Posted: Sun, Jul 22, 2007, 11:29 AM ET (1529 GMT)
Mars Exploration Rover (NASA/JPL) The twin NASA Mars Exploration Rovers are in danger of shutting down permanently as massive dust storms on the planet continues, preventing them from generating enough power. The dust storms, which have lasted for nearly a month, have cut the power generated by the rover's solar panels, reducing the total power available from a typical 700 watt-hours per day to just over 100 watt-hours earlier in the week. The rovers have remained in place and suspended most of their normal activities, including scientific research and some communications, but have still in some cases used more power than can be generated by solar panels alone, drawing down batteries. If these storms continue for an extended period, they could damage or even permanently disable the rovers, particularly if the rovers are unable to generate enough power to run heaters that keep critical electronics systems warm.
<<previous article   next article>>
news in brief
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT)

French government leads investment in Eutelsat
Posted: Sat, Jun 21 8:38 AM ET (1238 GMT)

NASA further delays Ax-4 launch
Posted: Sat, Jun 21 8:34 AM ET (1234 GMT)

news links
Tuesday, June 24
Blue Origin eyes Cruz’s space tax
POLITICO — 6:31 am ET (1031 GMT)
ULA Adds 27 Satellites To Amazon Kuiper Constellation
Aviation Week — 6:30 am ET (1030 GMT)


about spacetoday.net   ·   info@spacetoday.net   ·   mailing list