NASA Rover Takes 'Winter Vacation' to Power Solar Panel
Photo: AP
This artist's rendering provided by NASA shows a replica of the Mars Rover, Opportunity, on the surface of Mars.
Similar to humans who travel to sunny locations during the winter, the robotic rover will spend the next several months literally soaking up sunlight. The U.S. space agency, NASA, says it positioned Opportunity with its solar panel angled toward the Sun to make sure the rover will have enough power to last for the duration of the long Martian winter.
Mission scientists say it was not necessary for Opportunity to be kept in a Sun-facing position the previous four Martian winters because its landing site just south of the planet's equator gets relatively strong sunlight year-round. They decided to use the maneuver this year because the rover’s solar panels were caked with an unusually thick coating of dust.
MORE: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/science-technology/NASA-Rover-Takes-Winter-Vacation-to-Power-Solar-Panel-136870353.html
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