Even getting to Victoria would have been impossible without the limited autonomy navigation software which was uploaded as the MER missions dragged on and the ground controllers became exhausted.

This software greatly increased the distance a MER was able to cover in a day.

How quickly everyone glides by the demonstation of this essential point.

NOW, clearing back contamination as a show stopper is going to take extremely long traverses on Mars (argue with Rummel about this, not me), and this is going to require future Mars rovers to have even more powerful autonomous software.

I think it likely that China will acquire (for cash) earlier work on this software from IKI for use during CE3 R&D.

Another key point which the MERs have demonstrated is that solar power is sufficient for long term Mars surface operation, and that nuclear power is not necessary. (I don't know is the MERs have RTGs for heating purposes.)

depending on audience numbers, a Russian 4 wheel Mars rover launched by converted military ICBM with images distributed via the internet to subscribers or paid for via advertising may be possible on a commercial basis.

we'll see...