Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science

Spirit's got a stubbed toe

Just watched the online news conference on the rovers. Guess Spirit has a motor going out on one of it's front wheels but the engineers didn't seem too concerned about it. As a matter of fact they're planning on climbing to the top of the hill they're currently on. The engineer explained that the rover can run well on different wheel combinations and they can isolate that wheel if necessary. Seems the path up the hill is doable and they don't expect slopes more than about 20 degrees. My hopes for the mother of all panoramas sounds like it's coming true.

First Spirit is concentrating on some rocks that exhibit nodule development similar to the blueberries at Opportunity's site. They seemed really excited about the difference in geology they're seeing and that's spurring on the climb to the top as it seems the rocks they're interested in have fallen down from the rock outcropping at the top.

Opportunity is slowly progressing down into Endurance and they've indicated they have no fears about being able to get back out. As a matter of fact they've climbed up and down a number of times and seem to feel that the crater is theirs to explore at will. Plans are to explore in detail each layer of rock extensively and then progress on down to the next oldest.

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (4 posts)