Thread: This time! Martian Rover in trouble.

  1. #1
    It's full of stars adrianxw's Avatar
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    This time! Martian Rover in trouble.

    The Mars rover Opportunity has lost the ability to steer one of its wheels. While the vehicle can still move, the failure may make it harder to study rocks up close.

    The rover has six wheels aligned in two rows and each of the four corner wheels has its own steering mechanism. The problem is with the front right wheel, which can still roll but is now stuck at a 7° inward angle. NASA rover project manager Jim Erickson says it is like a car losing its power steering.

    “At this point, with this one actuator failed, it’s an inconvenience, nothing more,” says rover chief scientist Steven Squyres. But he adds that the failure is a reminder that the rovers will not run forever and that “we should continue to get every bit of science out of these that we can”.
    Martian Rover also in trouble!
    Wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity unto the dream.

  2. #2
    Registered User axon's Avatar
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    they still got much more out of it then they have ever expected. Even their longest estimates for the rover's lifetime were crushed. That's one "determined" robot

    some entropy with that sink? entropysink.com

    there are two cardinal sins from which all others spring: Impatience and Laziness. - franz kafka

  3. #3
    It's full of stars adrianxw's Avatar
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    It's not dead yet, just somewhat problematic for close work. I agree, the things had a 90 day life expectancy 15 months ago!
    Wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity unto the dream.

  4. #4
    www.entropysink.com
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    Perhaps they should have called it Martian BMW?
    Visit entropysink.com - It's what your PC is made for!

  5. #5
    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    Well that was a hell of a coincidence.

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