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Mars Winds Clean Spirit's Solar Panels Again
Titoxd writes "In a blast from the past, NASA reports that Spirit's solar panels have received a much-needed cleaning courtesy of the Red Planet. The report states, 'The cleaning boosts Spirit's daily energy supply by about 30 watt-hours, to about 240 watt-hours from 210 watt-hours. The rover uses about 180 watt-hours per day for basic survival and communications, so this increase roughly doubles the amount of discretionary power for activities such as driving and using instruments.'"
Or a windshield washer for the solar panels.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Maybe next time, NASA should include some type of cleaning devices, so that when the panels get dusty, then a brush or something could wipe the panels. Sure, it's more weight, but it could increase the productivity of the mission.
A post below gave this link: http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2008/11/why-dont-the-mars-rovers-have.html
Which is how long they estimated it would take for the rovers' solar panels to be covered in too much dust for the rover to function. Dust is why the mission was scoped at 90 days.
Right. And if they really wanted longer than 90 days, they would have done something to account for it.
Settle down, Beavis.
"I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
Wrong. But, whatever, it affects you more than me.
"I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)