A Day in the Life of a Rover
During a typical day, each rover sends image, instrument and status data to Earth. Scientists make decisions based on that data and data from the previous day. Then they send commands to the rover during the three-hour window of direct communication with the high-gain antenna. The rover is then on its own for 20 hours, carrying out commands and sending image data to the two overhead satellites. The rover's commands may tell it to move toward a new rock, grind a rock, analyze a rock, take photos or gather other data with other instruments.
 Image courtesy NASA Artist's rendering of a rover at work |
The rover and the scientists repeat this pattern for perhaps 90 days. At that point, the rover's power will start diminishing. Also, Mars and Earth will be getting farther and farther apart, making communication more difficult. Eventually, the rover will not have enough power to communicate, or will be too far away, and the mission will be over.
For more information on the Mars Exploration Rovers and related topics, check out the links on the next page.
