Opportunity Mars exploration veteran, there are more than 40 times longer than planned. Now, after nearly 11 years at the rover on the Red Planet, NASA reported that device is becoming more problems with memory . Experts have noted that sours the seventh, the last flash memory chip. The flash memory has a limited lifespan. After a number of cycles of read / write some cells to consume. We suspect that after 11 years of work, we are witnessing the use of parts of the cell – said John Callas, who is responsible for the Mars Exploration Rover mission [under it sent to Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity - ed.].
Problems with flash system mean that Opportunity often utilizes a RAM. This means that if you turn off the rover data that does not hit the Earth, are lost. With this, however, scientists are able to deal with, thanks to the detailed planning work Opportunity. A much more serious problem is that when there are problems with the rover’s flash computer restarts. Interrupts the proposed works and waits for instructions from Earth. The problem is particularly serious when it comes to restart during the weekend or during longer breaks. When the team supervising Opportunity returns to work, it turns out that the execution of existing plans were delayed by several days.
Experts from NASA came up with an idea to how to address the problems. They plan to modify the software so the rover to use it in just six first memory chip. Fortunately, the last of the systems failed. We are fortunate that broke not one of the circuits located in the middle. His workaround would be much more complicated – Callas said.
No one knows how long it will work Opportunity. Jeep is not fully functional at any time can lead to the final failure. However, working many times longer than planned and established himself in the history of the exploration of the Red Planet.
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