And weight budget. At the end of the day they can only send what they can launch and land in one go currently. So if you spend 1 kilogram on a system to clean panels that is 1 kilogram where you don't have a science instrument. It is also like 100 kilos in propellant to get that 1 kg to the surface.
So yeah it is usually better to just try other means of keeping them clear that may extend the life but may not.
wartornhero t1_iu407ys wrote
Reply to comment by gribblefrit in NASA spacecraft records epic ‘marsquakes’ as it prepares to die by marketrent
And weight budget. At the end of the day they can only send what they can launch and land in one go currently. So if you spend 1 kilogram on a system to clean panels that is 1 kilogram where you don't have a science instrument. It is also like 100 kilos in propellant to get that 1 kg to the surface.
So yeah it is usually better to just try other means of keeping them clear that may extend the life but may not.