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Spirit Makes Progress On Antenna Actuator
Pasadena CA (SPX) Sep 29, 2009 Spirit is recovering from the high-gain antenna (HGA) anomaly that occurred on Sol 2027 (Sept. 15, 2009). The HGA problem is suspected to be an apparent intermittent behavior in the dynamic brake relay for the HGA actuators, a problem that has been seen and mitigated before in other rover actuators. Diagnostics were run on the HGA and each actuator moved freely in both directions without problems with the dynamic brake behaving normally. The challenge for the rover team has been trying to uplink HGA recovery sequences over the low-gain antenna (LGA). Data rates over the LGA are so low that there is often insufficient time in the uplink window to get up all the necessary commands. Because of that, the project is using forward link UHF relay commanding through Mars Odyssey. The forward link has the additional complication that there is additional latency in getting the commands to the rover, so the pace of recovery is impacted. Return to normal HGA usage for Spirit is anticipated by next week. Spirit is otherwise in good health. As of Sol 2033 (Sept. 21, 2009), Spirit's solar-array energy production was 418 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (tau) of 0.972 and a dust factor of 0.626. Total odometry remains at 7,729.93 meters (4.80 miles). Share This Article With Planet Earth
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Opportunity Departs Block IslandPasadena CA (SPX) Sep 21, 2009 Opportunity completed the circumnavigation and full-circle imaging of the large meteorite "Block Island" and has resumed the long drive to Endeavour crater. On Sol 2001 (Sept. 9, 2009), the rover moved 9 meters (30 feet) around the meteorite to the fourth and fifth out of six planned positions. On the next sol Opportunity reached the sixth and final position around Block Island with ... read more |
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