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Mars Rovers Have Incorrect Instruments Installed

Posted by Zonk on from the maybe-they-should-have-given-them-different-paint-jobs dept.

Christopher Reimer writes "The New Scientist is reporting that the twin Mars rovers, Opportunity and Spirit, has instruments installed in the wrong rovers. From the article: 'While the bungle does not undermine the main scientific conclusions drawn from the data collected by the rovers, it is an embarrassing slip-up for a space agency that once lost a Mars spacecraft because engineers mixed up metric and imperial units.'"

3 of 294 comments (clear)

  1. If... by bird603568 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    they would have made them identicle execpt for the APXS thing we wouldn't have the problem. Also do they look alike or very similar? If they dont thats crazy.

  2. Re:Confusion...Why differing configurations? by AddressException · · Score: 0, Redundant

    As I don't have mod points I'll shamelessly copy the AC reply that's currently scored zero points:

    They don't need to upload the files to the rovers because they're getting raw data here on Earth. They simply need to switch the calibration data in the software.

    This is not a major thing. Yes, all the data collected from these sensors will have to be re-analyzed, but that should be a simple thing.

  3. Re:Two for two by SEWilco · · Score: 0, Redundant
    This was a follow up mission to the Viking landers which found no signs of life on Earth.

    So they established colonies on Vinland.