View Single Post
  #12  
Old January 8th 04, 08:54 PM
Mark Hittinger
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Mars Rover longevity again limited by dust build-up

toddh writes:
Mount a pump with a rotating nozzle and hit them with a jet of air.
Would also be handy to stir up ground dust for analysis.


What we need is a rover garage!

Seriously the rover has been getting warmer than expected because of the
(apparent) insulating effect of the landing pad underneath. This insulating
from the cold ground effect was credited with having to use less energy to
heat the rover at night.

So what if we dropped a small insulating blanket on the surface to drive
the rover onto at night? This might save enough energy and reduce contraction
stresses enough to increase rover life. Then you think about walls to protect
from the wind and perhaps a blower to get rid of the dust buildup in the
morning just before we go out hunting.

Later

Mark Hittinger