Mars Rover Opportunity Still Stuck In a Dune

Maddog Batty writes "The mars rover Opportunity, which has been stuck in a sand dune since the end of April, is still going nowhere after wheel spinning attempts were made to free the probe. It did manage to move a very short distance as can be seen in the difference between these two images. Before this attempt the NASA JPL team were playing in their own sandpit trying to replicate the conditions on Mars. (older coverage)"

Comments

Well, it's not a pit

[Council]

At least it's doing better than Spirit, which last I heard was sliding inexorably into an ominious pit of sand, where it will be slowly digested over a thousand years.

If only Spirit could help

[ravenspear]

In other news, a team of NASA's best psychologists is scheduled to hold a meeting where they will determine how to best break the news to Spirit that her brother may be nearing the end of his life.

Mission planners at NASA are concerned about the consequences this could have. While they still want Spirit to remain functional and capable of scientific discovery, they are aware of the moral issues involved and have decided against keeping the news from her, fearing a backlash from the MCLU (Mars Civil Liberties Union).

NASA administrator Michael Griffin released a statement saying the team is carefully weighing the choices and will continue striving to preserve Spirit's technical functionality and psychological stability. Should Spirit become too depressed over the impending demise of her brother and refuse to cooperate, there is talk of calling in a special favor from a nearby resident to cheer her back up. Apparantly Spirit has recently become infatuated with a local hunk named Marvin.

The Mars Rover isn't really stuck in a dune...

[consumer_whore]

NASA is just practicing to be on http://www.carstuckgirls.com/

Re:The Mars Rover isn't really stuck in a dune...

[rich_r]

Possibly the finest example of a niche market I have ever seen!

Call AAA

[www.sorehands.com]

Nasa: Hello, my rover is stuck in a dune.

AAA: Where is the dune?

Nasa: On mars.

AAA: What is the make and model of the vehicle?

Nasa: It's a rover.

AAA: What color?

Nasa: Grey.

AAA: What is the license plate?

Nasa: It does not have a license plate.

AAA: I'm sorry, if you don't have a license plate, we can't send out a tow truck. [click].

Here I am, a brain the size of a planet...

[Greyfox]

And I'm stuck in this sand dune. (Spins wheels fruitlessly) and my solar collectors are getting dusty again. And I have this terrible pain down the diodes in my right side...