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> Curiosity has driven 11.6 miles (18.7 km) since landing on Mars Is that distance from landing, or total traversed? ~3km/year seems somewhat slow, even consid
by __s 9y ago
> Curiosity has driven 11.6 miles (18.7 km) since landing on Mars
Is that distance from landing, or total traversed? ~3km/year seems somewhat slow, even considering extreme risk aversion. Is it making frequent stops to collect samples?
- extrapickles 9y agoThe RTG powering it only produces 100w of power, so it’s not moving fast and most of that power each day is probably used on the science payloads.
- losteric 9y agoIt's top speed is 0.09 mph... and it frequently stops for samples, technical issues (computer glitches, wheel performance, etc), or simply to stay alive (solar panels supplement the RTG; in the winter it must remain on terrain pointing north)
- walrus01 9y agoI am unaware of it having any solar panels, and took a good look at the high-res photos while it was being assembled at JPL... It's RTG and battery only. perhaps you're thinking of spirit and/or opportunity? https://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=curiosity+rover+solar+panels&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8 https://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=cur...
- losteric 9y agowhoops, you're right! I mixed up my rovers, I was thinking about opportunity