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Mystery Phenomenon Cleans Mars Opportunity Rover

Posted by timothy on from the maybe-labor's-just-really-cheap-there dept.

vg30e writes "It seems that some unexplained phenomenon has cleaned the dirt off the Mars Opportunity Rover. While the Spirit rover is down to 400 watt-hours per day due to the dirt obscuring its solar panels, Opportunity has gone from 500 watt-hours to 900 per day. I wish this phenomenon would clean the snow off my car."

4 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. My thoughts by WhatAmIDoingHere · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've got a theory, and I think you may all agree with me on this:

    We've stumbled on an ancient Martain car wash.

    It's invisible, of course.

    To think anything different would be just plain silly.

    --
    Not a Twitter sockpuppet... but I wish I was.
  2. Wipers? by vettemph · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I been wondering why they didn't just design a slow moving wiper brush to clean the panels in the first place. One wipe every 30 days or as needed.

    --
    The government which is strong enough to protect you from everything is strong enough to take everything from you.
    1. Re:Wipers? by Bobas · · Score: 5, Insightful

      That would add additional complexity to the spacecraft, especially as it was not expected for the rovers to last past the period of 90 days.

  3. Just goes to show... by Black+Parrot · · Score: 5, Funny


    Women are from Mars.

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade