Rocky 7 - Mojave Desert Field Experiments

Batteries Replacement

During the December '96 and May '97 tests Rocky 7 relied on battery power in addition to its solar panel. About every 2 hours the batteries inside the rover were swapped. The batteries are located under the solar panel in the front of the rover.

Rocky 7 is a prototype, not a flight-ready module. The rovers used for the Mars 2001 and 2003 missions will rely only on solar power.


Above: Robert Ivlev replaces the batteries during the December '96 tests. Below: Rich 'Pete' Petras swaps the batteries in May '97.