Weather sensors aboard NASA's InSight Mars lander stopped providing data on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, a result of an issue affecting the sensor suite's electronics. Engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California are working to understand the cause of the issue.
Called the Auxiliary Payload Sensor Suite (APSS), the sensors collect data on wind speed and direction, air temperature and pressure, and magnetic fields. Throughout each Martian day, or sol, InSight's main computer retrieves data stored in APSS' control computer for later transmission to orbiting spacecraft, which relay the data to Earth.
APSS is in safe mode and unlikely to be reset before the end of the month while mission team members work toward a diagnosis. JPL engineers are optimistic that resetting the control computer may address the issue but need to investigate the situation further before returning the sensors to normal.
Related Links
InSight Mars lander
Space Technology News - Applications and Research
Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.
With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.
Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.
If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution. |
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly
|
 |
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once
credit card or paypal
|
AFRL partners with FSU to develop reinforced ceramics 3D printing of sensors
Eglin AFB FL (AFNS) Jul 01, 2020
The Air Force Research Laboratory recently partnered with Florida State University to develop reinforced ceramics 3D printing of sensors.
The technology of reinforced ceramics 3D printing of sensors uses a new liquid polymer in a 3D printer that can dispense pre-ceramic polymer, which is then pyrolyzed to form ceramic.
Dr. Amanda Schrand, of AFRL's Munitions Directorate, and Dr. Cheryl Xu (then an Associate Professor at Florida State University, now located at North Carolina State University ... read more