By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/short-circuit-halts-nasas-mars-curiosity-rover-days Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Short circuit halts NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover for days Science Mar 4, 2015 11:27 AM EDT NASA’s Curiosity rover will take a break from gathering samples of the dusty Martian landscape, while engineers determine whether a short circuit damaged the robot’s arm, the space agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said Tuesday. On Feb. 27, the rover was transferring rock powder collected by its drill when an electric problem halted its work. The rover, NASA said, has managed to complete the same drilling process before without any hiccups. Call me Johnny Five. Some ops on hold while my team investigates a short circuit. http://t.co/6ttSAVazVW pic.twitter.com/Odx4droJ7p — Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) March 3, 2015 “We are running tests on the vehicle in its present configuration before we move the arm or drive,” Curiosity project manager Jim Erickson said, in a statement. “This gives us the best opportunity to determine where the short is.” Curiosity will remain inactive for several days while engineers diagnose the issue. NASA said the short could, at worst, prevent the use of certain instruments. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas is a senior editor for the PBS NewsHour's Communities Initiative. He's also the senior editor and manager of newsletters. @Josh_Barrage
NASA’s Curiosity rover will take a break from gathering samples of the dusty Martian landscape, while engineers determine whether a short circuit damaged the robot’s arm, the space agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said Tuesday. On Feb. 27, the rover was transferring rock powder collected by its drill when an electric problem halted its work. The rover, NASA said, has managed to complete the same drilling process before without any hiccups. Call me Johnny Five. Some ops on hold while my team investigates a short circuit. http://t.co/6ttSAVazVW pic.twitter.com/Odx4droJ7p — Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) March 3, 2015 “We are running tests on the vehicle in its present configuration before we move the arm or drive,” Curiosity project manager Jim Erickson said, in a statement. “This gives us the best opportunity to determine where the short is.” Curiosity will remain inactive for several days while engineers diagnose the issue. NASA said the short could, at worst, prevent the use of certain instruments. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now