Spirit suffers wheel problem
Posted: Wed, Jun 16, 2004, 8:06 AM ET (1206 GMT)
The Mars Exploration Rover Spirit has encountered a problem with one of its six wheels, although spacecraft engineers believe the problem can be overcome. Project officials said Tuesday that the right front wheel on Spirit is drawing two to three times as much electrical current as the other five wheels, suggesting that it is suffering from some kind of degradation. Engineers there may be ways to work around the problem, such as powering the wheel only when needed to turn, or to just allow the wheel to continue to operate when it fails, and rely on the remaining five wheels. Engineers also plan to heat up the gearbox in the wheel's motor in the hopes of improving its lubrication and reduce the amount of power needed. Spirit is now at the edge of the Columbia Hills, having traveled over three kilometers from its landing site in Gusev Crater.
The Mars Exploration Rover Spirit has encountered a problem with one of its six wheels, although spacecraft engineers believe the problem can be overcome. Project officials said Tuesday that the right front wheel on Spirit is drawing two to three times as much electrical current as the other five wheels, suggesting that it is suffering from some kind of degradation. Engineers there may be ways to work around the problem, such as powering the wheel only when needed to turn, or to just allow the wheel to continue to operate when it fails, and rely on the remaining five wheels. Engineers also plan to heat up the gearbox in the wheel's motor in the hopes of improving its lubrication and reduce the amount of power needed. Spirit is now at the edge of the Columbia Hills, having traveled over three kilometers from its landing site in Gusev Crater.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, March 14
Britt, Tuberville talk Space Command and legislative updates for Alabama
Alabama Daily News — 4:24 am ET (0824 GMT) Calls Swell For The U.S. To Invest In Space Superiority
Aviation Week — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) Autonomy Has Outpaced International Space Law
War on the Rocks — 4:20 am ET (0820 GMT) Sonic boom expected from SpaceX's second launch this week from Vandenberg SFB
KSBY-TV San Luis Obispo, CA — 4:20 am ET (0820 GMT) X announces Bracket Challenge promising trip to Mars with SpaceX as grand prize
Awful Announcing — 4:19 am ET (0819 GMT) |
