PASADENA, Calif. (AP) – NASA says its powerful Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is in safe mode after being hit by a cosmic ray or solar particle.

The spacecraft abruptly rebooted its onboard computer Wednesday night, but can still send down engineering data to ground controllers.

Crews at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena have been working to return the craft to normal science operations, expected as early as next week.

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was launched in 2005.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.