Mars rover suffers computer reboots
Posted: Tue, Apr 14, 2009, 7:58 AM ET (1158 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
|
|
Space Force picks 14 companies for GEO surveillance program
Posted: Sat, Apr 11 10:34 AM ET (1434 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, April 22
Worried About U.S. Democracy, Astronauts Are Launching a Political Nonprofit
Wall Street Journal — 4:14 am ET (0814 GMT) ESA funds Polish radio telescope to monitor solar outbursts
ESA — 4:14 am ET (0814 GMT) No one can hear you screen: US Space Command keeps watch on Iran's missile launches
The National (UAE) — 4:11 am ET (0811 GMT) Space Force scrambles to repair workforce as massive budget increase looms
Defense One — 4:10 am ET (0810 GMT) “Project Quartz” satellite ground station network teased by Blue Origin president
Data Center Dynamics — 4:07 am ET (0807 GMT) |
