Does Curiosity Use Solar Panels

Why then did the 2004 rovers choose to use solar panels for power.

Does curiosity use solar panels. The power source generates 9 mj 2 5 kwh of electrical energy each day much more than the solar panels of the now retired mars exploration rovers which generated about 2 1 mj 0 58 kwh each day. Nuclear generator powers curiosity mars mission. The electrical output from the mmrtg charges two rechargeable lithium ion batteries. A radioisotope system helps power the curiosity rover on mars.

Solar paired with batteries then is the preferred way to power satellites piszczor said. Photo courtesy of nasa. Spirit another mars rover also uses batteries paired with solar. Solar panels used in the past mars missions were passed up in favor of a space battery for powering the car size curiosity robot.

The curiosity rover is bigger needs more power. One consequence is that the mars exploration rovers couldn t work for more that half of the time. The 2 main drawbacks of solar panels is that they don t work during the night and they don t work during the martian winter. Solar energy is a clean green source of energy and is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Solar power doesn t release any greenhouse gasses and it s safe and environmentally friendly. While solar panels have issues with martian dust this was a known factor before the 2004 spirit and opportunity mission.