Steering problem stops one Mars rover
Posted: Thu, Oct 7, 2004, 3:41 PM ET (1941 GMT)
A problem with the steering system on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit has temporarily stopped the rover from moving, project officials said this week. Relays that control steering motors for two of Spirit's six wheels failed to operate as planned on Friday, keeping the motors locked in position. Engineers are analyzing diagnostic data from the rover to determine what the problem is and how it can be corrected from the ground. If nothing else succeeds, a fuse controlling the relay could be blown, but that would prevent the steering motor from acting as a brake for the remainder of the mission. That, in turn, could increase errors in driving accuracy for the rover, although there would be ways to mitigate those problems. The problem is not related to another problem with Spiri'’s right-front wheel detected earlier this year, which affects the drive, rather than steering, motor for the wheel.
A problem with the steering system on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit has temporarily stopped the rover from moving, project officials said this week. Relays that control steering motors for two of Spirit's six wheels failed to operate as planned on Friday, keeping the motors locked in position. Engineers are analyzing diagnostic data from the rover to determine what the problem is and how it can be corrected from the ground. If nothing else succeeds, a fuse controlling the relay could be blown, but that would prevent the steering motor from acting as a brake for the remainder of the mission. That, in turn, could increase errors in driving accuracy for the rover, although there would be ways to mitigate those problems. The problem is not related to another problem with Spiri'’s right-front wheel detected earlier this year, which affects the drive, rather than steering, motor for the wheel.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, December 20
NZ tight-lipped over membership of space network
Radio New Zealand — 6:55 am ET (1155 GMT) K2 Space Awarded $60M STRATFI Contract for Groundbreaking Proliferated MEO Mission
PR Newswire — 6:54 am ET (1154 GMT) Kendall Urges Next Administration To Boost Space Force Funding
Aviation Week — 6:53 am ET (1153 GMT) Musk In Trump’s Inner Circle Presents Rare Opportunity For SpaceX
Aviation Week — 6:51 am ET (1151 GMT) Vast Hires SpaceX For Planned Private Astronaut Mission Bid
Aviation Week — 6:50 am ET (1150 GMT) |
