Slashdot Mirror
Mars Rover Opportunity Working Free
VernonNemitz writes "As previously reported, the Mars rover Opportunity ran into more sand (or finer material) than it was designed to handle. While initial attempts to escape may not have accomplished much, the most recent efforts seem to imply that the plucky machine is going to succeed at getting away."
It's amazing to see the news (and especially slashdot) making such a big deal over the dune. The only reason that it took so long was because the NASA team, cautious as they were, were spending their time recreating possible scenarios in an oversized sandbox with an Opportunity replica, and trying them out. If you follow the mission, the scientists never sounded particularly concerned.
;)
Following missions in detail, by the way, is a good way to get an idea of how overcautious these people generally are, even on missions where stuff ends up going wrong. Getting a craft to Mars and making it function there isn't easy, and following a mission (and craft design) in depth really pushes that home.
Plus, lets not forget that Mars is protected by a Galactic Ghoul that ate 4 out of 5 Soviet craft launched at it.
I believe Bird-Person can arrange that.
Actually, I believe both missions together cost only $800 million.
A mere pittance...especially when you consider all the "techno-wood*" that has been generated so far. God know how many geekitos and geekitas have been conceived since mission start.
*Techno-wood is copyleft 2005 NoseBag. Use it at your own peril. I did.
Cloned foods give the statement "We had that last week!" a whole new meaning.
i'm not sure overcautious is the word i'd say given the fact the fucking thing is on mars they NEED to be extremely cautious.
how many sysadmins can honestly say they've never fucked something up on a remote box? now when you fuck up a box in a colo it may well cost you a couple-hundred dollars and/or hours of travel time to fix so you take care!
now imagine your box is somewhere you CAN'T go and fix it and has all sorts of mechanical parts to fuck up. you are going to be extrodinerally carefull.
do you really think the rovers would have lasted this long if driven with a gung-ho attitude?
note: i'm known as plugwash most places but i screwd up registering that here somehow in the past and now can't register