NASA Mars Rovers Hit 5-Year Anniversary

An anonymous reader writes "NASA's Mars rovers have been on the red planet for five years now. The rovers were originally planned to stay operational on the planet for only 90 days, but it has turned into a much longer mission than anticipated. NASA has put together a video to celebrate the anniversary. The rovers have made important discoveries about wet and violent environments on ancient Mars. They also have returned a quarter-million images, driven more than 21 kilometers (13 miles), climbed a mountain, descended into craters, struggled with sand traps and aging hardware, survived dust storms, and relayed more than 36 gigabytes of data via NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter. To date, the rovers remain operational for new campaigns the team has planned for them."

Comments

Five years for 36 gigabytes?

[Shakrai]

and relayed more than 36 gigabytes of data via

Seems a little slow. Maybe Obama can extend some broadband lines to Mars and bring them into the 21st century? ;)

typical government project

[Anonymous Coward]

Supposed to be finished in 90 days, ends up taking 5 years.

Re:typical government project

[dotgain]

Just stick to the standard 'Whoosh!', please.

Re:Wet and Violent?

[dotancohen]

Actually, I have at least one ex-girlfriend who meets that description as well.

Re:Best damn dime NASA ever spent.

[antifoidulus]

Not to mention they leak all over the place and constantly want to make more of themselves

Re:Best damn dime NASA ever spent.

[tibman]

That's puppeteer talk right there

Re:Example Of American Can Do Spirit

[Raenex]

I can't believe you made that Voltron reference.