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Mars Rovers Hit Snag: Some Disassembly Required
By Leonard David
Senior Space Writer
posted: 06:10 pm ET
14 April 2003
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Mars Rovers Hit Snag: Some Disassembly Required A potential problem has cropped up in readying the two Mars Exploration Rovers for sendoff to the red planet. A May 30 launch date for the first rover has been slipped until no earlier than June 6. According to a NASA statement, the concern regards cabling that connects the spacecraft's main computer, which is inside each rover, to peripherals in the cruise stage, lander and small deep space transponder. The connection to the cruise stage is severed during approach to Mars and the connection to the lander is severed before the rover drives off. Pre-launch testing revealed a potential problem in how the spacecraft interprets signals sent when the cables are severed. Both MER-A and MER-B will require fixing at the NASA Kennedy Space Center. The unanticipated problem is not expected to impact the launch period for the second rover takeoff, starting June 25 and closing July 15. However, the second mission cannot launch until 10 days after the first one. On Friday, NASA had announced that Meridiani Planum and Gusev crater were the two touchdown zones on Mars that the rovers would land. Researchers believe these two sites offer the greatest science reward for the rovers. Each MER robot will examine its landing site for geological evidence of past liquid water activity and past environmental conditions hospitable to life.
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