It's been on mars for a long time and I was wondering why it doesn't died. Is it solar powered? And if it's battery powered, how can it hold a charge that long?
2006-09-28 05:22:09 · 10 answers · asked by allan 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
solar + battery: it sits in the sun charging the batteries, then off it goes.
2006-09-28 05:24:20 · answer #1 · answered by holden 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask the energizer bunny. I belive it is solor powered.
Power and electronic systems
When fully illuminated, the rover solar arrays generate about 140 watts for up to four hours per Martian day (sol). The rover needs about 100 watts to drive. The power system for the Mars Exploration Rover includes two rechargeable lithium ion batteries (weighing 16 pounds (7.15 kg) each), that provide energy for the rover when the sun is not shining, especially at night. Over time, the batteries will degrade and will not be able to recharge to full power capacity. For comparison, the future Mars Science Laboratory is expected to last approximately one Martian year using radioisotope thermoelectric generators to power its large suite of instruments. Solar panels are being considered for an MSL mission (or missions), but RTGs provide versatility to work in dark environments and high latitudes where solar energy is not an efficient method for power generation.
2006-09-28 05:25:46 · answer #2 · answered by eeaglenest 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is solar powered. And as dust accumulates, it makes it more difficult for the batteries to recharge (as well as the batteries going bad over time).
The main reason that people didn't expect them to last this long is that at night the batteries energy are used to help keep certain components warm (it gets VERY cold at night on Mars). When certain components get cold and then heat up, it makes them weak and they can break. Similar to bending a thin piece of metal over and over until it breaks.
And it was true that the rovers were losing their ability to regenerate power, but it wasn't rain or aliens that were washing them...it was a dust devil (a wind vortex) that is much weaker than a tornado. They have several images of dust devils on the surface. Oh and there are two rovers currently going....Spirit and Opportunity.
2006-09-28 06:12:29 · answer #3 · answered by Doob_age 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it should have died long ago. Layer upon layer of dust has been accumulating on the solar panels decreasing it's efficiency. Then a miracle one day... they were working at 100% efficiency. The images taken of the panels show they were "washed" clean!
So that could mean that it RAINED on Mars, but that is not supposed to happen because of the atmospheric composition (even though I have personally seen photo's of what appear to be mud puddles beside the rover) - or someone manually wiped clean the panels.
You decide.
2006-09-28 06:04:24 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Solar powered.
2006-09-28 05:28:02 · answer #5 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lack of dedication. shall we do it o.k. and in a short era of time, even though it may take a dedication of time and substances that we are no longer prepared to make. the large project is existence help. interest does no longer choose nutrition, water, and breathable air. absolutely everyone we deliver to Mars may. All that stuff if heavy and so very very extreme priced. the subsequent project is lengthy time period survival. we've little adventure in existence help platforms that may function, presented, for that lengthy. the nearest project we've is the global area Station and that has presented an incredible style of advice. even though it truly is merely 2 hundred miles away and may be resupplied somewhat basic. A Mars project may besides be a visit to the North Pole in 1850. Even an unmanned provide rocket may take months to get there. To do it authentic, we opt to visit the Moon first. we opt to envision and secure an enduring, self reliant, base on the moon. Then we are able to study what to do, and bigger important, what no longer to do. we may be able to do it now. yet does no longer you quite do it authentic?
2016-12-06 07:48:21 · answer #6 · answered by popek 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Solar powered. When it runs low on power, it can just sit for a while until it recharges.
2006-09-28 12:38:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Solar (Photovoltaic) Cells. Then there's having a 20 MHZ Microprocessor and no hard disk drive.
2006-09-28 08:29:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it has batteries, i believe, and the whole top of its canopy is solar panels, which feed the batteries, to run electric servos and motors.
2006-09-28 05:26:11 · answer #9 · answered by Big hands Big feet 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rubber bands
2006-09-28 05:37:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋