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To: LibWhacker

Would it be feasible to include a protective shield that can be deployed in the event a dust storm develops?


11 posted on 03/15/2019 2:31:24 AM PDT by Fester Chugabrew (Lock. Her. Up.)
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To: Fester Chugabrew
Found this quote online. It explains it far better than I ever could:
However, Opportunity relies on solar panels to keep its batteries charged. NASA placed the rover in hibernation when the global dust storm blocked sunlight from reaching the rover, but the storm lasted weeks. The rover stopped sending routine signals early on, suggesting it didn’t even have enough power to keep its heaters operational. Without heat, the batteries may never work again.

A shield couldn't prevent dust blocking out sunlight needed by the solar panels. My first inclination to this realization was to say, "Well, heck, you should've sent a more powerful RTG!". But I'm glad I didn't because first, there were obviously weight restrictions and second, the rovers were only designed to last 90 days. Something was bound to go wrong one day and end the mission. It's remarkable that that something didn't come along for 14 years.

20 posted on 03/15/2019 4:41:01 AM PDT by LibWhacker
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