Curiosity Could Roam Mars for Five to Six Years

Experts at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), in Pasadena, California, say that the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover Curiosity may endure on the surface of the Red Planet for five to six years, based on its specifications.

When mission engineers first thought about the mission, they designed Curiosity to endure for two Earth years. However, the rover uses a nuclear power source to recharge its battery. The source uses the natural decay of plutonium-238 to produce 110 watts of electrical power.

NASA has a solid background in exceeding planned mission life span expectancy, as demonstrated with its Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity. If it manages to land successfully, the $2.5 billion MSL has all the capabilities it needs to exceed its mission expectancy as well.

“We test the mechanisms usually for three times life – sometimes two – and we don't test them to failure. So, all the mechanisms have been tested to last two to three times longer than we expect the mission to operate, if they haven't failed in that period of time,” Space quotes the MSL team as saying.

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Via: Curiosity Could Roam Mars for Five to Six Years