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ZL2VAL > ROVERS 16.06.04 14:09l 62 Lines 2082 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 4D0028ZL2VAL
Read: GUEST
Subj: Dodgy wheel cause for worry
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Sent: 040616/1134Z @:ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC #:42196 [New Plymouth] FBB7.00g
From: ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
To : ROVERS@WW
Jun 16, 2004
Rover Spirit develops problem with wheels
BY CHRIS KRIDLER
FLORIDA TODAY
CAPE CANAVERAL -- The twin Mars rovers are showing signs of old age, but
they still know how to rock and roll. Or roll toward rocks.
"We joked in the past about being past warranty on these rovers,"
mission manager Mark Adler said of NASA's robots, which landed in
January and were initially expected to run for 90 days. ". . .We're
starting to see some real degradation."
Spirit's right front wheel is drawing more power than it should. If
ground-controller tricks don't make it work better, the rover could
drive on the other five.
A glitch caused by the cold Martian winter also prompted Spirit to miss
commands from Earth one day, requiring an adjustment from the rover
team. Nonetheless, Spirit and Opportunity have reached promising new
rocks that could tell more of the story of water on Mars.
Spirit has reached the Columbia Hills in Gusev Crater and is eyeing a
group of rocks called Pot of Gold that show intriguing formations. The
rover's tools will help determine the rocks' composition.
The rover photographed a rock that looks like a decaying loaf of bread.
"We see what we've dubbed rotting rocks," U.S. Geological Survey
scientist Larry Soderblom said, adding, "It's kind of difficult to
imagine that, somehow, water wasn't involved."
Spirit will climb as it studies the rocks.
Meanwhile, Opportunity is crawling down into Endurance Crater, seeing
promising rocks with distinct layers representing different time
periods, said Scott McLennan of the State University of New York.
The rocks could add more to what scientists know of Meridiani Planum,
where Opportunity found evidence of a salty sea.
=========================
73 de Alan, (Sysop ZL2AB).
AX25:ZL2VAL@ZL2AB.#46.NZL.OC
IP :zl2val@qsl.net
APRS:!3903.34S/17406.45E]
Message timed: 23:27 on 2004-Jun-16
Wackiest Warning Labels Ever
----------------------------
On a snow sled: "Beware: sled may develop high speed under
certain snow conditions."
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