Rovers on Mars

Spirit's Wheels Digging into Soft Ground, Sol 1899
The five wheels that still rotate on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit have been slipping severely in soft soil during recent attempts to drive, sinking the wheels about halfway into the ground. >>


Youth Has its Benefits. . . Even on Mars!
Opportunity has seen many sights during her nearly 2000 sols on Mars, but recently came face-to-face (or wheel-to-rock) with the youngest crater ever seen by either Mars Exploration Rover! >>


Spirit Resumes Driving While Analysis of Problem Behaviors Continues
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit drove on Thursday for the first time since April 8, acting on commands from engineers who are still investigating bouts of amnesia and other unusual behavior exhibited by Spirit in the past two weeks. >>

SPIRIT UPDATE: Surprise from Right-Front Wheel - sols 2111-2117, Dec. 10-16, 2009:


Spirit remains embedded in the location called "Troy" on the west side of Home Plate. Because of continuing problems with the right-rear wheel, a test of the right-front wheel was done on Sol 2113 (Dec. 12, 2009) to gain insight into the signature for a failed wheel. The right-front wheel had become inoperable back on Sol 779 (March 13, 2006). Surprisingly, the right-front wheel indicated normal motor continuity.

The project also discovered a change in what is known as the single-point ground. A negative voltage is present where no voltage should be. This suggests some sort of electrical short to the rover chassis. The behavior of this single-point ground correlates with the onset of problems with the right-rear wheel and with usage of any of the mobility actuators. This suggests that the rover's motor controller board is suspect.

The right wheels were tested again and driven as part of an extrication maneuver on Sol 2117 (Dec. 16, 2009). The right-front wheel functioned normally for the first three steps of the drive and stopped working during the last step, completing about 10 wheel revolutions. The right-rear wheel did not move at all. The rover only moved slightly during this drive. The project is continuing the investigation of these electric and wheel problems and continuing to explore the functionality of the right-front wheel.

As of Sol 2117 (Dec. 16, 2009), Spirit's solar-array energy production is down ro 277 watt-hours, with an atmospheric opacity (tau) of 0.503 and a dust factor of 0.557. Total odometry is 7,730.01 meters (4.80 miles).

Spirit Update Archive


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OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Preparing to Grind - sols 2091-2096, Dec. 11-16, 2009:


Opportunity has been investigating the rock known as "Marquette Island," which has been of great interest. Assessments of its composition suggest that it might be ejecta from deep within Mars.

The plan is to position the rover to be able to perform a rock abrasion tool (RAT) grind on an accessible surface target on Marquette. On Sol 2093 (Dec. 13, 2009), Opportunity drove about 10 meters (33 feet) around the rock to position an accessible rock surface within reach of the robotic arm (instrument deployment device, or IDD). On Sol 2095 (Dec. 15, 2009), the rover performed a 5-centimeter (2-inch) bump to set up for RAT grinding.

The elevation mirror shroud of the miniature thermal emission spectrometer (Mini-TES) is being opened when appropriate with the expectation of eventual dust cleaning. No dust cleaning of the Mini-TES mirror has been noted yet.

As of Sol 2096 (Dec. 16, 2009), Opportunity's solar-array energy production is 354 watt-hours, with an atmospheric opacity (tau) of 0.462 and a dust factor of 0.528. Total odometry is 18,927.56 meters (11.76 miles).

I love the term "dust factor".

Opportunity more than amazes me. Spirit also.

10.30.2009
A Mars Rover Named "Curiosity"
NASA scientists will soon brush the dust off some Martian rocks that are practically bursting their seams to give their lively account of the red planet's past.

The Mars Science Lab -- aptly named "Curiosity" -- is heading up there in 2011 to read the diary of Mars.

The small, car-sized rover will ramble about on the rocky surface, gizmos at full tilt, not only brushing dust off rocks but also vaporizing them with a laser beam, gathering samples to analyze on the spot, taking high resolution photographs, and more.

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/30oct_curiosity.htm
artists impression

Those Michelins appear unlikely to get stuck.

I'm really impressed with the clarity of that (artist's impressions) rendering.

They could use the laser to melt sand in front of the wheels if it did get stuck.
Anyhow with spirit and opportunity still going a tow might be a possibility

It would be my guess they would send this baby some place around the bend, to explore greater areas of the planet.

6 years this thread has been running. Go, little rovers.

This has been a great thread. Remember when they first found those concretions embedded in the rocks? Check out Page 10 of the thread. Those were exciting days on Mars.

I think we mase a blueberry pie in their honor.

Great idea! There should be a series of celebratory treats in their honor. Blueberry anything, of course, would be peachy.

funny that.

got some "all natural" blueberry pomegranate ice cream from Wally's yesterday.

odd, but tasty

think they had peach as well...

I heard about vegemite flavoured icecream. Does wally have any?
give it a try and let me know.

don't you guys get to have Wally's???

Shirley you gest, sir...

I think I'm kind of in love with the little Rover.

It had not occurred to me to check youtube for Rover videos.

I love it. Give them a few more designs and they won't need to send humans there.