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Last Post 10/4/2006 9:59 AM by Kris Sigsbee

Sun/Solar Powr

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Anonymous

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10/4/2006 7:30 AM
Elisa E (dia) What's the fartst planet that scientists have used solar power on robot spacecraft?

Sallie Baliunas

New Member

Posts:21

10/4/2006 9:47 AM
Elisa, Mars! The Spirit and Opportunity rovers use solar panels. Good wishes, Sallie

Kris Sigsbee

Basic Member

Posts:415

10/4/2006 9:59 AM
Hi Elisa, That's a great question! So far, the missions to the outer planets have relied upon radioactive materials to power the spacecraft. However, a new mission to Jupiter called Juno is currently being developed that will use solar power instead of radioactive materials. This is now possible due to advancements in solar cell technology and spacecraft instrument design. Juno will be launched sometime around the year 2010. You can follow the development of the Juno mission here: http://juno.wisc.edu/ . Juno will give scientists new information about Jupiters magnetosphere. Kris