Mars racks 'em up: Spirit 'facing near-death'

[pete.dakota]

http://www.space.com/news/081112-mars-rover-spirit.html

Power generation is down to 10% from Sol 1. They've ordered the rover into safe-mode, and not to contact the Earth tomorrow. Seems they got nothing back, either because the safe-mode command is set in successfully, or Spirit doesn't have the power to phone home.

Sad stuff.

 

[ryan]

http://www.orbiter-forum.com/showthread.php?t=5313

 

[Bill LeClere]

Bummer

That is sad news. I'll light a candle.

bill

 

[willy88]

Another one bites the dust! Quite literally.

 

[Piper]

I don't suppose anybody wants to go up there with a vacuum? It's sad news, but if this does spell the end of Spirit, it's had a long good run, made some amazing science, and has FAR exceeded expectations, it will be missed.

 

[RisingFury]

*Hopes for a freak wind out of nowhere.*

 

[HiPotOk1978]

or a wonderful report from NASA saying
"Rainfall detected on Mars, Cleans dust off of solar panels"

Aren't they supposed to be "Following the water" ?

 

[willy88]

Still alive.

HUGE SUCCESS. :speakcool:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gDNZZRvl9i0nm7FzhquQ7Jdl6JxAD94EALBG1

 

[Bj]

Still alive.

HUGE SUCCESS. :speakcool:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gDNZZRvl9i0nm7FzhquQ7Jdl6JxAD94EALBG1

Wow that's a relief! That little guy keeps on a chugging.

 

[James.Denholm]

[singing onbehalfof=spirit tune="portal's still alive"]And when you think I'm dead, I'll be, Still Alive[/singing]

Go Spirit, Go Opportunity, you legends!

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if there's a bunch of Martians following the rovers with a tool-set, subtly fixing them up when they are about to break down...

 

[ryan]

Wow that's a relief! That little guy keeps on a chugging.

It is still a bit dusty but better :speakcool:

 

[SpaceCowboy]

Glad to hear it's ok. After what happened to Phoenix, I don't know if I could handle it again. lol Although I think that NASA is still holding out hope on Phoenix.

 

[Jarvitä]

Glad to hear it's ok. After what happened to Phoenix, I don't know if I could handle it again. lol Although I think that NASA is still holding out hope on Phoenix.

Phoenix did what it was supposed to do, exceeded it's predicted lifetime twice, accomplished all mission objectives and reached a nominal end of mission. Why the pessimism?

 

[SpaceCowboy]

I wouldn't call it pessimism. It's just sad to see such a great ship go out. And if we lost two Mars vehicles so close together, than it really would be bad.

 

[Bj]

I wouldn't call it pessimism. It's just sad to see such a great ship go out. And if we lost two Mars vehicles so close together, than it really would be bad.

It is sad to see them to lose power, but why would it be bad? After all they have exceeded their predicted lifetime of 90 days by far and away. In reality, another day moving is another miracle or one very lucky robot.

 

[SpaceCowboy]

Yeah. But Mars just would not be the same without them.

 

[Andy44]

Good news.

 

[Saturn V]

Yeah. But Mars just would not be the same without them.

Ah...but would the Martians agree? :hmm:

 

[SpaceCowboy]

Probably not.

 

[ryan]

I thought phoenix just went to bed, the sun is too low for the solar panels to pick up any energy.