Mars rover outruns death

Spirit bests bad wheel to prepare for winter

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Matt Zapotosky

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

As winter fast approached, Spirit saw its life flash before its panoramic camera eyes.

Exposed on a flat surface with its solar energy dwindling, the Mars rover needed to find a safe hill on which to rest during winter and soak up the sun’s rays at an appropriate tilt.

But there was a problem. Spirit’s right front wheel was dead, leaving the robotic NASA probe vulnerable to the planet’s harsh climate.

This rover, however, proved once again that survival is something it and its twin, Opportunity, continue to master since NASA sent them to Mars in January 2004.

Simply put, Spirit cheated death. Again.

The full dramatic saga HERE!

http://www.dispatch.com/science/science.php?story=dispatch/2006/07/25/20060725-D7-00.html