is_explode
is_explode t1_ivya65m wrote
Reply to comment by Palmput in Saying goodbye to NASA's InSight lander before it's buried in Martian dust by Impossible_Cookie596
Assuming the cost estimates are actually close, that will definitely help. Although in some places (see high rad environment near Europa) you still wouldn't want COTS hardware. And some things like RTGs are probably never going to be available COTS.
is_explode t1_ivwsyy1 wrote
Reply to comment by FiNsKaPiNnAr in Saying goodbye to NASA's InSight lander before it's buried in Martian dust by Impossible_Cookie596
The martian atmosphere has a very low density, so you can't just use a normal compressor. And any compressor you bring is extra mass and volume you can't use for science. And you have to think about how a compressor running would impact sensitive instruments.
is_explode t1_ivwsozp wrote
Reply to comment by cobalt1227 in Saying goodbye to NASA's InSight lander before it's buried in Martian dust by Impossible_Cookie596
Not mentioned, but using compressed air means either bringing said compressed air, or bring a compressor. Both require control mechanisms, and additional mass and volume that can't be used for science.
is_explode t1_ivwsito wrote
Reply to comment by tenshii326 in Saying goodbye to NASA's InSight lander before it's buried in Martian dust by Impossible_Cookie596
Think fine dust buildup as opposed to normal sand you might find at a beach. Also the physical mechanism needs to change to be able to rotate the 180 (or even just 90 degrees) For Insight, the shape of the panels means I'm not actually sure there is sufficient ground clearance to rotate the panels.
is_explode t1_iw349s7 wrote
Reply to comment by Sealingni in Saying goodbye to NASA's InSight lander before it's buried in Martian dust by Impossible_Cookie596
Well it seems like the Mars landers/rovers are managing to exceed design life enough that something to clean panels would probably be coming down the line eventually, and extra mass allowable certainly would make that easier.