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A comment on ‘My power’s low’: NASA’s Insight Mars lander prepares to sign off. Parent comment

Re:‘My power’s low’: NASA’s Insight Mars lander prepares to ... by Retric on Wednesday December 21, 2022 @10:06AM (#34081580)
Most critically, other components are also failing so you don’t get that much more lifespan with unlimited power.

A brush doesn’t work well in a zero moisture environment.

The dust is horrifically abrasive and brushing it along the panels would cause damage.

The added weight would have to be compensated for.

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Re:‘My power’s low’: NASA’s Insight Mars lander prepares to ... by m4rtink on Wednesday December 21, 2022 @10:53AM (#34082260)
Well, the MERs lasted quite a bit longer & were moving systems. A bit of a shame a static lander can't beat them. :P
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Re:‘My power’s low’: NASA’s Insight Mars lander prepares to ... by Retric on Wednesday December 21, 2022 @12:19PM (#34083467)
Insight isn’t dead just hibernating which both MERs did several times.

If Insight dies then Spirit will have lasted 50% longer and opportunity significantly longer, but both rovers lost quite a bit of functionality over time. So, the difference isn’t as stark as you might assume when you consider how much time rovers spent with reduced power or hibernating, stuck, etc.

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