Hi all. Nice newsgroup. I'm a bit bored since JPL seems to be a bit lax on getting out its raw images in a timely manner lately so thought I'd start a discussion here. I'm really excited about Spirit's trek to the Columbia Hills but I think I'll be disappointed if the craft isn't able or isn't commanded to climb to the summit. Maybe there's little scientific reason for the climb to the top but I think it's also part of NASA's function to provide some out-of-this-world sightseeing to us Earthbound fanatics. Blowing away the public with what has to be an incredible view from up there is a great PR ploy and very necessary to keep public interest and their willingness to fund. From the beginning of history, explorers have always seemed to seek out the high ground to not only get their bearings but to also simply treat their senses.

Now for the questions. Is Spirit capable of actually climbing those hills given that the sides are not filled with huge obstacles? Has NASA calculated slopes from images taken from orbiting craft and from the rover itself? What is the maximum angle the rover is capable of climbing knowing what we do about the slippage of Opportunity in the Eagle crater?

Art Martin