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Pasadena CA (JPL) May 25, 2010 Spirit remains silent at her location called "Troy" on the west side of Home Plate. No communication has been received from the rover since Sol 2210 (March 22, 2010). It is likely that Spirit has experienced a low-power fault and has turned off all sub-systems, including communication and gone into a deep sleep. While sleeping, the rover will use the available solar array energy to recharge her batteries. When the batteries recover to a sufficient state of charge, Spirit will wake up and begin to communicate over X-band and Ultra-High Frequency (UHF). Although the rover may not wake for some time, the project has been listening every day for any X-band signal from Spirit through the Deep Space Network (DSN) using the Radio Science Receiver (RSR). The Mars Odyssey orbiter is also listening for any scheduled UHF relay passes. If energy levels for the rover are even lower than estimated, there is the additional risk that the rover may trip a mission clock fault. If that happens, the rover would remain asleep until the Martian spring or summer when bright sunlight is needed to wake the rover. The winter solstice has past. Energy and temperatures should begin improving. Total odometry is unchanged at 7,730.50 meters (4.80 miles).
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Mars Rovers Set Surface Longevity RecordPasadena CA (JPL) May 20, 2010 NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Project will pass a historic Martian longevity record on Thursday, May 20. The Opportunity rover will surpass the duration record set by NASA's Viking 1 Lander of six years and 116 days operating on the surface of Mars. The effects of favorable weather on the red planet could also help the rovers generate more power. Opportunity's twin rover, Spirit, began wor ... read more |
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