I imagine that while at some point there comes a time where it's no longer sensible to keep trying, I wonder if the rover is truly dead, or if we're just waiting for the wind to blow in just the...
I imagine that while at some point there comes a time where it's no longer sensible to keep trying, I wonder if the rover is truly dead, or if we're just waiting for the wind to blow in just the right way to clear off the panels for it to power on.
I guess I like the thought of it starting back up again someday, even if we won't be trying to talk to it.
I'm totally guessing here, but I imagine that the Deep Space Network is probably nontrivial to orient at any given spacecraft, so maybe it's more useful to talk to ones which are responding more....
I'm totally guessing here, but I imagine that the Deep Space Network is probably nontrivial to orient at any given spacecraft, so maybe it's more useful to talk to ones which are responding more.
That said, I do hope they send a message or two at it every now and again.
I think she's gone for good. It apparently needs to keep itself warm throughout the winter or else important parts face damage. Considering its last message was "my battery is low and it's getting...
I think she's gone for good. It apparently needs to keep itself warm throughout the winter or else important parts face damage. Considering its last message was "my battery is low and it's getting dark" with its solar panels coated in dust, it doesn't seem likely that it'll be able to scrape any energy together to fire up its heaters.
I imagine that while at some point there comes a time where it's no longer sensible to keep trying, I wonder if the rover is truly dead, or if we're just waiting for the wind to blow in just the right way to clear off the panels for it to power on.
I guess I like the thought of it starting back up again someday, even if we won't be trying to talk to it.
Relevant XKCD.
That would be awesome if Opportunity spontaneously started back up. But I wonder if we'll be listening anymore to even know.
I wonder why though? What is the cost of us pinging it every so often? Certainly there is still value in the rover itself, so why not continue to try?
I'm totally guessing here, but I imagine that the Deep Space Network is probably nontrivial to orient at any given spacecraft, so maybe it's more useful to talk to ones which are responding more.
That said, I do hope they send a message or two at it every now and again.
I think she's gone for good. It apparently needs to keep itself warm throughout the winter or else important parts face damage. Considering its last message was "my battery is low and it's getting dark" with its solar panels coated in dust, it doesn't seem likely that it'll be able to scrape any energy together to fire up its heaters.