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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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NASA to Reboot Mars Orbiter

Orbiter's systems vulnerable to space radiation exposure

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(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)
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