NASA preps Mars rover rescue plan

NASA has come up with a plan to extricate their stuck rover Spirit that's been bogged down in a Martian sand trap since April. Space agency brains have been conducting a lengthy series of trials using a test rover and sandbox on Earth to figure out the best way of freeing the hindered droid. "This is going to be a lengthy …

[Neoc]

no titles here - move along

In a few years or so, Rover's little brother will come ;round a give Rover a few pushes to get it free.

Yes, Opportunity comes a-knocking.

[exit...quit...bye...quitbye.ctrl-C..ctrlX.ctrl-alt-X...aarrrr*slam*]

If it doesn´t work just send someone up and drag it out.

or they can make it a tourist attraction: "This is the rover spirit, which is -altough functioning- trapped in this sandpit for the past 86 years...'

[amanfromMars 1]

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

[ForthIsNotDead]

Or...

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

Shouldn't take long ;-)

[lglethal]

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!

[The Stainless Steel Cat]

Oblig. BBT quote...

"Do you have a plan?"

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

[Anonymous Coward]

Awwww....

...I wanna see Opportunity come to Spirit's rescue, pleeeeaaaaassssseeeeeee!

[Solomon Grundy]

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.

[Annihilator]

@ 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!

[Peter Clarke 1]

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 :)

[Anonymous Bastard]

@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)

[Richard 23]

@Solomon Grundy

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

[Mister Cheese]

@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...

[Andrew Culpeck]

Gecho's Tail

The followin may give a qlue as to how a sampling arm could help get the Rcver free.

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/robert_full_learning_from_the_gecko_s_tail.html

[Rob]

@Mister Cheese

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