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Martian Dust Imperils Rover Mission

After 3 weeks with no solar power, fears of permanent damage

By Sam Biddle, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2007 9:20 AM CDT

(Newser) – The violent dust storm that has immobilized NASA's Mars rovers for three weeks shows no signs of letting up, and is now threatening the future of the mission. "This is by far the worst storm the rovers have ever seen," the rovers project manager told reporters. "Now it's all about saving power."

Spirit and Opportunity are solar powered, and have been crippled by thick dust clouds that are blocking out 99% of the planet's sunlight. Engineers have kept them dormant, except for brief daily monitoring, but now they're worried about permanent damage. "The threat to the rover is that it doesn't have the energy to stay warm and that its sensitive electronics would become too cold," Callas said.

NASA Shows Off New Mars Rovers (Getty Images)

First Color Pictures Of Mars Rover Released (Getty Images)

MARS, July 6 -- This picture taken by the IMP (KRT Photos)

1997 (KRT Photos)

Mars Rover Rolls Off Lander (Getty Images)

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Martian Dust Imperils Rover Mission

After 3 weeks with no solar power, fears of permanent damage

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Built for 90 Days, Mars Rovers Mark 5 Years

Spirit, Opportunity brave adversity, and they're not done yet

Mars Rovers Dodge NASA Cuts

Budget called for 1 to hibernate, 1 to go part-time

$4M NASA Cut May Strand Mars Rover

Shrinking budget could also leave 300 jobless

Mars Was Too Salty for Life

Rock analysis shows even microbes couldn't have survived in planet's early history

Opportunity Knocks on Mars

NASA's rover explores bedrock that could be ancient Martian surface

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Martian Dust Imperils Rover Mission

After 3 weeks with no solar power, fears of permanent damage

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

NASA • Mars • storm • rover

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Built for 90 Days, Mars Rovers Mark 5 Years

Spirit, Opportunity brave adversity, and they're not done yet

Mars Rovers Dodge NASA Cuts

Budget called for 1 to hibernate, 1 to go part-time

$4M NASA Cut May Strand Mars Rover

Shrinking budget could also leave 300 jobless

Mars Was Too Salty for Life

Rock analysis shows even microbes couldn't have survived in planet's early history

Opportunity Knocks on Mars

NASA's rover explores bedrock that could be ancient Martian surface

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?