Mars Rovers Moving After Winter Hibernation

jcasman writes to mention an article at Astronomy.com discussing the now on-the-move Mars rovers, which have been effectively in hibernation over the long Martian winter. Spirit has been stationary in the Columbia Hills area, just barely powered up and taking the finest panoramic shot of the planet to date. On the other side of the world, Opportunity has been skulking around the Victoria crater. Scientists have been getting to know the area before attempting to send Opportunity into the geographical feature itself. "Opportunity now is traversing Victoria's rim, and mission scientists are naming features they find after places visited by Ferdinand Magellan and his crew during the first circumnavigation of Earth. (Victoria Crater itself is named after the lone ship that completed Magellan's quest.) [Steve Squyres of Cornell University] and his team are committed to driving Opportunity into the crater eventually, if they're sure the rover will be safe -- in other words, that they can get it out again. Squyres is confident they can, and he thinks it will be sooner rather than later."

Comments

The #1 Threat to America

[User 956]

jcasman writes to mention an article at Astronomy.com discussing the now on-the-move Mars rovers, which have been effectively in hibernation over the long Martian winter.

I knew it. This is just more evidence of the vast bear conspiracy that's mauling our government from the inside out.

Re:The #1 Threat to America

[maxume]

It's o.k., I have a rock.

I need a cigarette

[L. VeGas]

Thanks, Slashdot.

Opportunity has been skulking around the Victoria crater.

Opportunity now is traversing Victoria's rim, ... ... driving Opportunity into the crater ... ... they can get it out again You just made my Friday.

Re:I need a cigarette

[regularstranger]

You know you're a nerd when you use an interplanetary probe to investigate your lady.

Re:I need a cigarette

[Anonymous Coward]

Gives a whole new meaning to exploring "Heavenly Bodies"...

Re:I need a cigarette

[Tablizer]

You know you're a nerd when you use an interplanetary probe to investigate your lady.

Double nerdpoints if it feels better than live touching.

strangely erotic

[mattkime]

>>Opportunity now is traversing Victoria's rim

anyone else find that strangely erotic?

Re:strangely erotic

[Anonymous Coward]

>>anyone else find that strangely erotic?

Sure. They guy that just posted 2 before you did.

NASA reports...

[dedazo]

... that after the first attempt to move the rover without success, they pointed the camera down and realized that the little guy was propped up on four cinder blocks...

First reply from rovers after powering up

[hcdejong]

Leeme alone! It's too early to get up yet!

Obligatory theonion

[rbarreira]

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/54360

Things have really changed in space exploration

[cyberbob2351]

Man's first words on another world:

That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
Machine's

Hello world.

They must be running Windows XP: Space Edition

[bluemonq]

I can only get my XP Pro to wake up out of hibernate mode about 30% of the time...

Re:They must be running Windows XP: Space Edition

[Anonymous Coward]

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\anonymous coward>install linux
'install' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

C:\Documents and Settings\anonymous coward> Hmm, do i have to download some additional updates or patches first? It doesn't seem to be in the default install.

Rovin'

[deejaymaxx]

They see me rollin
They hatin'