“I’m assuming that the still active rover - Curiosity, is still okay?”
Its power source is a radioisotope thermoelectric generator. Other than a drilling arm problem which Nasa found a work around for, it is still functioning during the dust storm.
https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/mission/mars-rover-curiosity-mission-updates/
Thank you.
I just had to read a bit more on Curiosity. Designed life was 2 years. The NASA guys think 5 to 6 years is very doable (year 6 now). The plutonium source can last for 12 to 15 years iirc.
The NASA guy said that it probably won’t be the lack of energy that kills it, but a mechanical problem such as a motor or something. (Perhaps like the drill-arm problem?). But he also said that there is a lot of redundancy on the Rover - for example the 6(?) wheels all have their own motors, so if one motor goes out it isn’t a big deal.
Pretty amazing stuff.