As stated previously, it is likely that Spirit has experienced a low-power fault and has turned off all sub-systems, including communication and gone into a deep sleep.

While sleeping, the rover will use the available solar array energy to recharge her batteries. When the batteries recover to a sufficient state of charge, Spirit will wake up and begin to communicate.

There is the additional risk that the rover may trip a mission clock fault.

If that happens, the rover would remain asleep until the batteries have recharged sufficiently and there is enough sunlight on the solar arrays to wake the rover.

With the southern winter solstice back on May 13, 2010, solar energy levels and temperatures are expected to be improving.

Total odometry is unchanged at 7,730.50 meters (4.80 miles).

del.icio.us	Digg	Reddit
YahooMyWeb	Google	Facebook

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS Solar Energy Solutions Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ... Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News