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Air Bag Blocks Spirit's Path

Posted by michael on from the jaws-of-life dept.

cosog writes "bad news everyone: 'Two sections of the air bags used to cushion Spirit during the landing phase are obstructing the vehicle's path.'. Fortunately scientists have a solution for it: 'We'll lift up the left petal of the lander, retract the airbag, then let the petal back down[...]'. This means that: 'The earliest the six-wheeled Spirit rover will get rolling is Jan. 14, about three days later than originally planned, NASA said'."

12 of 95 comments (clear)

  1. I told them... by Black+Parrot · · Score: 5, Funny



    ...the robots with the flamethrowers always make it though the maze faster.

    But 'no', they said. 'Flamethrowers weigh too much', they said. That's what happens when you replace all the visionaries with bean counters.

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
    1. Re:I told them... by bluGill · · Score: 2, Funny

      I prefer to think outside the box. Mars has CO2. Plants use CO2 to make O2. So I'd just include a few plant seeds (selected for ability to grow in mars like conditions) and plant them. That way if I need a flame thrower I nkow there is O2 around to use it, and I didn't have to bring it.

  2. Are we sure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    That it isn't really just some Martians up there messing with it to give us grief?

  3. Re:Rover can use another ramp by saramakos · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe nobody at NASA has fine enough stick control? I recommend a strong course of GTA: VC, GT and any other game they can find.

  4. Re:Rover can use another ramp by RzUpAnmsCwrds · · Score: 5, Funny

    With the ~30 minutes lag, your finger-twitching reflexes "ain't gonna mean shit".

  5. Re:Air bags are safety hazards by Mr.+Darl+McBride · · Score: 2, Funny
    I know a guy who died because he was wearing a seat-belt in a car crash.

    Either you're using the wrong tense of "to know," or you're really gullible.

  6. Rename Spirit! by Red+Pointy+Tail · · Score: 2, Funny


    Air Bag Blocks Spirit's Path. Hah.

    We should rename Spirit to Dolly. Or maybe Pamela. ;)

  7. I'm disapponted by Triv · · Score: 4, Funny

    I thought the article was going to be about some wacked out church claiming to have scientific proof that you don't get to go to heaven if you die in an airbag-equipped car.

    Crummy mars robot spoiling my fun.

    Triv

  8. Re:Rover can use another ramp by pipingguy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why not just roll off the alternate ramp and start exploring?

    TV ratings. Better to build up suspense first.

  9. Solomon's Wisdom by jefu · · Score: 3, Funny

    To misquote Dick Solomon, Alien Physics Teacher :
    Trains don't kill people, physics kills people.

  10. Hmmm by Badboy+Recovered · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe we got a Beagle under the bag? Which would explain why we have not removed the bag, as to not piss of the english :)

  11. Re:Rover can use another ramp by Suidae · · Score: 2, Funny

    What? No self-righting mechanism? Somebody get those engineers rereuns of Battlebots!