Mars Rovers Update

BoldAC writes "CNN is reporting that engineers will upload a software hack to decrease the recent power drain plaguing the rover Opportunity. The hack works by reducing the power supply to a poorly functioning switch." p3tersen writes "Opportunity has photographed a blue martian sunset (it's blue because of the optical scattering properties of dust in the martian atmosphere). In other news, the rovers are beginning to experience power supply problems due to the accumulation of dust on their solar panels."

Comments

ACPI

[compbrain]

"The hack works by reducing the power supply to a poorly functioning switch."
You know, they could just tell the rover to use its ACPI functionality and go into standby and spin down its hard disks....

Re:Solar problems

[Bull999999]

Another problem with rovers lasting forever is that they may gain AI, build themselves up with other technology, and go on a killing spree until a witty captain of a spaceship stops it.

Blue Sunset is NO Surprise

[Crypto Gnome]

Opportunity has photographed a blue martian sunset

It just plain makes sense, when you think about it.

• Earth
  • Blue Sky
  • Red Sunset
• Mars
  • Red Sky
  • Blue Sunset

agreed

[SweetAndSourJesus]

I'm sure a bunch of half-baked ideas from random yahoos would get them much further than anything their silly engineers could come up with.

Look harder!

[Serious Simon]

Once the robots find water, they could spray it on the solar panels to clean the dust off...

Because I want one in space

[Papa Legba]

I suggest a solar panel Zamboni! If for no other reason that Zambonis are cool and a space Zamboni would be a magnitude cooler. Imagine the great PR if NASA could send back shots of there Zamboni working on another planet.