NASA preps Mars rover rescue plan

Discretion is the greater part of valour ...... Sun Tsu?*

Is there no reverse gear? A gentle tip toe back to safe and solid ground for a rethink will a)avoid getting "get the rover's center of gravity past a rock that lies underneath Spirit." and b) dragging a broken forward steering wheel along a prepared and compacted path is always a lot easier that driving it into an unknown unknown path in dodgy alien territory. Goodness knows what may be a'lurkin'.

* http://tinyurl.com/Seeing-is-Believing :-) ....... Trojan Pieces have Many Hidden Depths

Or...

Why not just send Opportunity 'round there and give it a tow?

Shouldn't take long ;-)

This is what Engineering is all about...

Its things like this that got me into Engineering in the first place. You have a problem, you come up with a series of solutions and then proceed, usually by trial and error, until you get the right result...

They need to go back and teach this stuff in schools - maybe then kids would want to get into engineering and science!

Here's hoping they succeed in freeing Spirit, the rovers are great examples of how good engineering creates fantastic results!

Oblig. BBT quote...

"Do you have a plan?"

"Actually, I was just checking my e-mails."

Sand? Really

I'm from way down South in the U.S. so maybe my standpoint is different but where I come from when the truck is stuck: fuck it, give it all the gas its got and see what happens.

@ The Stainless Steel Cat

Well, you could call Triple-A, but according to NASA's latest time table, they won't get there for thirty-five years. Plus I understand that you have to be next to your vehicle with your card when they come.

Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock!

Recomended Viewing

It may not be in the NASA video library but I think they should check out Ice Cold In Alex to see how to move a vehicle up a slope in soft sand.

Softly, softly, catchee monkee :)

@Peter Clarke 1

Thank you for the excellent recommendation. I had been thinking of that very film but could not remember it's name. Well done!

(Go sign for the rover)

@Solomon Grundy

Looks like that's what they tried to do originally. Seems the NASA engineers may be from your neck of the woods.

@amanfrommars

Can you just go give it a kick please?

My Bigtrak used to get bogged down in carpets - and a gentle push used to help...

@Mister Cheese

Bigtrak, now theres a small tear of nostalgia rolling down my cheek.