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Mars Rover Spirit Down a Wheel

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the little-rover-that-could dept.

riflemann writes "NASA is reporting that two years into its 90-day mission, Spirit has lost one wheel and is now running on five wheels, dragging the broken wheel. With this reduced mobiity, the rover still needs to make its way to a slope where it can catch enough sun over the Martian winter to keep it operating. 'Even though the rovers are well past their original design life, they still have plenty of capability to conduct outstanding science on Mars.', says project leader Dr. John Callas."

11 of 272 comments (clear)

  1. Tis but a scratch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've had worse.

    1. Re:Tis but a scratch by metricmusic · · Score: 5, Funny

      A scratch? Your wheel's off!

      We thank thee Lord, that in thy merc-

      --
      http://www.livejournal.com/users/metricmusic
  2. Re:Still a tossup - Rovers dead before Vista relea by GKThursday · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't think their hardware meet Vista's specs.

  3. Only lost 1 wheel? pfft by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    If a dog can walk on two legs you better hope this thing keeps going, otherwise it's pretty embarassing.

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=OZqVvYkCe68

    1. Re:Only lost 1 wheel? pfft by archen · · Score: 5, Funny

      Actually I used to have a dog with two legs. I named him cigarette. Ever day I'd take him out for a drag.

      heh, sorry.. had to make the joke...

  4. C'mon ya pansy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The NASA engineers always triumph!

  5. Conversation I never Overheard by Black+Copter+Control · · Score: 5, Funny

    Martian1: It broke it's leg. I say we shoot it and put it out of it's misery.
    Martian2: nah. It seems to have such a drive for life.

    --
    OS Software is like love: The best way to make it grow is to give it away.
    1. Re:Conversation I never Overheard by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
      Martian3: How come neither of you knows how to use apostrophes correctly?

      /shoots martians 1 and 2

  6. 2 years into a 90 day mission... by HermanAB · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hmmm, typical NASA project, 21 months late and far over budget. :)

    --
    Oh well, what the hell...
  7. Re:Great... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    My tricycle had training wheels.

  8. Re:At first read, I get dissapointed by livewire98801 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Scotty: 8 weeks, sir

    Kirk: Mr Scott I-

    Scotty: But you don't have 8 weeks, so I'll do it for you in 2

    Kirk: Mr Scott, have you always multiplied your repair estimates by a factor of four?

    Scotty: Of course, Admiral, how else can I keep my reputation as a Miracle Worker?

    Kirk: Your reputation is secure, Mr Scott.

    If I recall, this dialoge was in ST:3, but I'm not sure of that.

    --
    "He may be mad, but there's method in his madness. [...] It's what drives men mad, being methodical." G.K.Chesterton