When Opportunity Rover landed on Mars on January 25 2004, NASA only expected it to function for a few months. They anticipated a short battery life before the power system failed. However, this is only now beginning to happen, and a life extension plan is ready to spring to life.
The Batteries Powering Opportunity Rover
Opportunity Rover uses solar panels to recharge two lithium batteries, each with 8 amp-hour capacity. The solar panels delivered 900 watt-hours in full sunshine at start of mission. However, this has gradually fallen to 730 at best.
The batteries have also shown signs of degrading. In their defense, they have lasted longer than most, although all good things that happen must come to an end.
But NASA has one more trick up its sleeve, and it’s called a zero degree heater. Engineers installed it with the idea that heating could increase charging efficiency in the cold Martian environment. And limit degradation of the lithium cells. However, they have never used the technology on Opportunity Rover yet because this proved unecessary.
Could Zero Degree Heaters Keep Opportunity Going Longer?
They may well keep the lithium batteries going longer. However, NASA engineers must take care not to damage the rover in the process.
They briefly tested the heater, and it functioned normally to the great relief of all. The world waits and watches now. Is it time for another battery experiment, or should they wait a while longer?
The Opportunity Rover Mission has been astonishingly successful. The tiny vehicle has covered 28 miles, taking samples of soil and atmosphere, and delivering a series of incredible panoramic photos.
The rover has survived dust storms, and discovered extramartian meteorites. It spent two years pottering in a crater before arriving at its alternative landing site. At one point, it became perilously stuck in a sand dune, until engineers rocked it free. Perhaps its greatest achievement was delivering the first photos of signs of ancient flows of water.
Related
Batteries on Mars that Provide Power
Batteries Out in Space We Sometimes Forget
Preview Image: Opportunity Rover Impression
