Opportunity and Spirit, have been gathering data since 2004 and
did a splendid job in exploring the Red Planet. However, a series of Martian dust storms, which have lasted for almost a month, are making their survival difficult.
These dust storms have shadowed the Sun for some time, therefore hindering the power generating capacity of batteries, which solely rely on solar energy. On Tuesday, July 17, the output from Opportunity’s solar panels dropped to 148 watts hours, the lowest point for either rover.
Before the dust storm begun, blocking the sunlight, last month, solar panels were producing 700 watt per hour - enough for efficient working of a rover. When the dust storm reduced it below 400-watt hour, the rover team suspended most observations, including use of robotic arm, cameras and spectrometers to study the site where Opportunity is located.
Worse can happen, if these dust storms continue for another several days or weeks as rovers will not be able to generate enough energy, leaving one or both rovers permanently disabled.
NASA engineers are trying their best to take protective measures to protect the rovers, especially Opportunity, which is experiencing stronger impact of these storms. Whereas, the Spirit is located in a region, where storms are less sever.
Steve Squyers of Cornell University, leading scientist of the Mars exploration Rover Project was one of the most concerned person and no doubt worried about the survival of the rover twins. However, still he has much more to do even after he loses these rovers.
Whatever we do, though, the problem is not going to get much better rapidly, Squyres said. I think that we have a good chance. If Mars really wants to kill these vehicles it can, but we have many things working in our favor.
Now, everybody at NASA is waiting as to when the dust storms will scatter as there is no strong prediction about these storms.
Via: USAToday
