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Mars Rovers Threatened By Dust Storms

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the batten-down-the-hatches dept.

mrcgran writes "Space.com is reporting a new potentially deadly weather condition threatening the Mars rovers: 'The first and largest dusty squall has reduced direct sunlight to Mars' surface by nearly 99 percent, an unprecedented threat for the solar-powered rovers. If the storm keeps up and thickens with even more dust, officials fear the rovers' batteries may empty and silence the robotic explorers forever. "This thing has been breaking records the past few days. The sun is 100 times fainter than normal. We're hoping for a big break in the storm soon, but that's just a hope." '"

13 of 145 comments (clear)

  1. I'm a geek and lack empathy by Flying+pig · · Score: 5, Funny
    First the storm came for New Orleans, but I did not live in the United States and it did not affect me

    Then the storm came for Kingston upon Hull, but I live on a hill on the other side of England and it did not worry me.

    Then the storm came for the Mars Rovers, and I was really quite worried about them. What a relief to know that I'm not sociopathic.

    --
    Pining for the fjords
  2. Great, now we need a lve mars concert by WatcherXP · · Score: 4, Funny

    Damm trans-global warming, ever since Al Gore invented it there has been nothing but problems, look even Mars is having problems now with record storms.

    --
    09-f9-11-02-9* (G^GCA_++{>. RV>>>>+++ NO CARRIER
  3. Re:Really? by Myrano · · Score: 2, Funny

    OK then, *you* go turn them back on...

  4. Re:Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Problem is they used an embedded windows product, and an evaluation one at that (Embedded Windows XP rover edition) it requires you to press any key upon boot up to agree to the Beta license.

    The rovers will boot but wait for someone to hook up a usb keyboard and press enter.

  5. Re:Really? by moranar · · Score: 4, Funny

    "KEYBOARD NOT FOUND. PRESS F1 TO CONTINUE"

    The lameness filter lacks humor.

    --
    "I think it would be a good idea!"
    Gandhi, about Internet Security
  6. Re:TODO list for the next mars rover: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    And here's a checklist for your next post.

    1. Check logic
    2. Check you're not logged in

  7. You posted in the wrong thread! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny
    The Roswell thread is down one from here...http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid= 07/07/08/1324256

    Tinfoil hats and all.

  8. $5 says... by teh+loon · · Score: 1, Funny

    $5 says the decepticons are behind the sandstorm. :/

    1. Re:$5 says... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      $5 says the decepticons are behind the sandstorm. :/

      You have talking money? That's pretty cool.

  9. Re:Really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Reminds me of my Rover. That was obviously designed to last 3 months.

  10. Re:Quite right too by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    No units? You must mean Kelvins then. Oh, wait...

  11. Suspicious timing. by Ecuador · · Score: 3, Funny

    Am I the only one to find the timing of the freak "dust storms" suspicious? It is obvious that Martians living in the neigbourhoods currently explored by the rovers would have a hard time launching to attend the Roswell UFO festival without being noticed. And you know some of these Martians value their privacy. I am sure these "dust storms" will clear out after the weekend, when everyone's back from the Festival.

    --
    Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Polar Scope Align for iOS
  12. Re:The Matrix had another power source... by yourmomisfasterthana · · Score: 1, Funny

    not to mention that doing this will simultaneously grant us the achievement of putting humans on mars! ;-)

    --
    -Yourmomisfasterthanabeowulfcluster