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NASA Launching Two Mars Rovers in June

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the red-planet-or-bust dept.

shaniber writes "NASA is planning the launch of the Mars Exploration Rovers this month. The rovers are scheduled for two two separate launches, between June 5th and July 15th. These rovers will both work as robotic geologists, including a human-eye height panoramic camera and a miniature thermal emmision spectrometer amongst their scientific equipment. NASA plans on webcasting the launches, as well. A press kit, with many more details, is also available as a pdf."

5 of 211 comments (clear)

  1. More rovers!?! by MonkeyPaw · · Score: 4, Funny

    Oh dear. More cute rovers buzzing along the surface only to be abandaned later.

    I felt sorry for that one a few years back. Kind of like leaving a puppy when you move.

    --
    My studio - www.graylands.ca
  2. Re:Anti-europeanism by JanneM · · Score: 5, Funny

    I never had you guys down as nationalist but I have been disapointed by many of the recent comments on /.

    You never saw americans as nationalist? You must already have been on Mars for the past few years then.

    --
    Trust the Computer. The Computer is your friend.
  3. Martianzilla by malia8888 · · Score: 3, Funny
    From the NASA webpage The robotic arm will be capable of movement in much the same way as a human arm with an elbow and wrist, and will place instruments directly up against rock and soil targets of interest. In the mechanical "fist" of the arm is a microscopic camera that will serve the same purpose as a geologist's handheld magnifying lens. The Rock Abrasion Tool serves the purpose of a geologist's rock hammer to expose the insides of rocks.

    Then the Martians will come up (practical jokers that they are) and put silly putty in the robotic hand and some lady Martian's thong underwear on the robotic arm.

    --
    Harpo Tunnel Syndrome--my wrist feels funny.
  4. Which means... by nounderscores · · Score: 3, Funny

    ROBOT WARS!

    Beagle-2 has Rover-A up against the pit! Beagle-2 is charging!!!!

    Oh that's got to hurt! Rover-A is ducking out of the way and giving Beagle-2 a quick whack with the rock abraision tool!

    The cocky brit recovers but the solar panel is cracked. Yes that's right folks, the beagle-2 solar panel is definitely cracked, and has lost some of its power generating capabilities.

    But wait! what's that under the ground??? the mole probe from beagle-2 is ripping up Rover-A's aluminium rocker bogie wheels!

    Oh the humanity! they're joined together! they're rolling into the pit!

    Where's the ref bots???

  5. Stereographs from Mars at the Lomaxes by nounderscores · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Mom! this stereograph doesn't work! there's a rock in the middle that doesn't pop up."

    "Hmmm... Well junior, that's because in the second photo that rock has grown little legs and moved to over there... Hey!"