Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

NASA to Reboot Mars Orbiter

Orbiter's systems vulnerable to space radiation exposure

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 5, 2009 1:59 PM CST

(Newser) – The Odyssey, NASA’s Mars orbiter, must reboot its computer systems, a risky move necessary to ensure continued functionality, Space.com reports. The reboot, slated for next week, should clear out the damaging effects of continued exposure to space radiation on the Odyssey’s memory system. The orbiter’s last reboot was in 2003. As a bonus, the operation will test the Odyssey’s backup systems.

The Odyssey contains a full set of backup components, called its “B-side,” but the B-side power supply broke in 2007, rendering the entire backup system useless. NASA thinks a cold reboot should revive the power supply. Odyssey has been orbiting Mars since 2001.

A Boeing Delta II rocket with the Mars Odyssey satellite lifts off April 7, 2001, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
A Boeing Delta II rocket with the Mars Odyssey satellite lifts off April 7, 2001, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.   (Getty Images)
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope took this picture of Mars 11 hours before the planet made its closest approach to Earth, Aug. 26, 2003.
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope took this picture of Mars 11 hours before the planet made its closest approach to Earth, Aug. 26, 2003.   (NASA)
This image provided by NASA, Nov. 4, 2008 shows the Arabia Terra region of Mars in this image from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
This image provided by NASA, Nov. 4, 2008 shows the Arabia Terra region of Mars in this image from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.   (AP Photo/NASA)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Guest
Mar 5, 2009 2:08 AM CST
JUST LIKE NEWSER COMMENTS... Phew, how long has it been fixed?... I tried reading HuffPo and had a panic attack! (g)
DavePA
Mar 5, 2009 2:02 AM CST
Just like my PC! :)

More Newser Stories

NASA Releases Flip Side of High-Res Earth Image

Scientists Find 11 New Planetary Systems

Mars Rocks Fell to Earth in July: Scientists

NASA Probes to Reach Moon Over New Year's

Russia's Failed Mars Probe Will Crash to Earth


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne