Book 15, Question 118
How Do Rovers Get Power on Other Worlds?
Rovers get power on other worlds from solar panels or from a special long-lasting battery! The choice depends on where the rover is going. Sunlight can be weak, dusty, or missing for long nights.
More fun facts
- The Perseverance rover gets electricity from a kind of nuclear battery called an MMRTG.
- It turns heat from naturally decaying plutonium into a steady flow of electricity.
- It made about 110 watts of power at launch and gives a little less each year.
- It charges two rechargeable batteries for times when the rover needs extra power.
- Its heat also keeps the rover's tools warm enough to work.
- The MMRTG is built to last 14 years.
Sources: NASA Science, NASA
Questions kids ask
How much power does the rover need to drive?
Its slow, energy saving drive uses less than 200 watts. A 200 horsepower car uses nearly 150,000 watts.