4 ms·
The Spirit and Opportunity rovers are both solar powered and weigh 400 lbs, so I think they could have made it solar powered. That said, they really should allo
by chriskanan 10y ago
The Spirit and Opportunity rovers are both solar powered and weigh 400 lbs, so I think they could have made it solar powered. That said, they really should allow RTGs.
The reason they give is as follows:
Schiaparelli is primarily designed as an entry, descent and landing technology demonstrator, and therefore does not carry solar panels or radioisotope thermal generators to supply power over an extended period. It is only intended to survive on the surface for a few days powered by batteries.
http://m.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/ExoMars_frequently_asked_questions http://m.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/ExoMars/ExoMar...
- Figs 10y ago> In addition, a simple camera (DECA) will take 15 monochrome images during the descent of Schiaparelli to provide engineering insight into the landing process and to identify help the actual landing location. However, it is not designed to take images from the surface. Well, if they're not even going to try to take pictures from the surface, I guess it doesn't make much sense to bother with solar panels or an RTG...