Re: Mars Rover Windshield Wiper


"John Crichton" <crichton@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:mpysi.32477$Xa3.11494@xxxxxxxxxxxx
The real answer is to dump the solar cells and use radioisotope thermal
generators (RTGs). The viking landers used them and of course all of the
deep space probes (pioneer, voyager, etc) must use them due to the great
distances from the sun they are required to operate at. RTGs have become
politically incorrect for completely unscientific reasons.

Unfortunately, they also cost more in a project than solar panels. This is
yet another reason why smaller missions (like the recent Mars landers and
rovers) use solar panels instead of RTG's. The Viking program/missions
was/were considerably bigger and more expensive than recent Mars
programs/missions.

For the Mars polar landers to me it is not debatable. If solar powered
they are guaranteed to have a short life since the electronics *will* lose
power during the Martian winter and the extreme cold *will* kill them.

You seem awfully sure that the cold will completely kill these landers.
Why? I could see them getting covered in ice/now/whatever as the pole
freezes during winter, but why wouldn't it be possible for them to power
down during the winter and wake in the spring after solar power has
returned?

Jeff
--
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a
little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor
safety"
- B. Franklin, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations (1919)


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Mars Rover Windshield Wiper
    ... The viking landers used them and of course all of the deep space probes must use them due to the great distances from the sun they are required to operate at. ... RTGs have become politically incorrect for completely unscientific reasons. ... they are guaranteed to have a short life since the electronics *will* lose power during the Martian winter and the extreme cold *will* kill them. ... I could see them getting covered in ice/now/whatever as the pole freezes during winter, but why wouldn't it be possible for them to power down during the winter and wake in the spring after solar power has returned? ...
    (sci.space.shuttle)
  • Re: Mars Rover Windshield Wiper
    ... generators (RTGs). ... they also cost more in a project than solar panels. ... power during the Martian winter and the extreme cold *will* kill them. ... You seem awfully sure that the cold will completely kill these landers. ...
    (sci.space.shuttle)
Loading