Mars Rover Spirit May Not Call Home

NASA'S HIBERNATING MARS ROVER MAY NOT PHONE HOME -JPL (NEW)
NASA mission controllers have not heard from the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit
since March 22, and the rover is facing its toughest challenge yet -- trying
to survive the harsh Martian winter. The rover team anticipated Spirit would
go into a low-power "hibernation" mode since the rover was not able to get
to a favorable slope for its fourth Martian winter, which runs from May
through November. The low angle of sunlight during these months limits
the power generated from the rover's solar panels. During hibernation,
the rover suspends communications and other activities so available energy
can be used to recharge and heat batteries, and to keep the mission clock running.

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Tags:

• Mars
• Exploration
• Rover
• Spirit