Mars rover adds hill climbing to list of accomplishments

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the ongoing achievements and future potential of Mars rovers, particularly in relation to their longevity, capabilities, and the scientific data they gather. Participants explore the implications of the rovers' ability to climb hills, the impact of seasonal changes on their operations, and the potential for future missions to explore deeper geological features on Mars.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express amazement at the rovers' extended operational lifespan beyond initial expectations, with hopes they may continue functioning for several more years.
  • One participant notes that the Martian summer solstice has recently passed, leading to shorter and colder days for the rovers, but mission controllers still plan to continue operations through the winter.
  • Another participant highlights the importance of the data collected by the rovers for future Mars missions and questions whether the rovers are capable of taking atmospheric measurements, which could be crucial for manned missions.
  • There is a discussion about the geological significance of the rovers climbing hills and the potential for discovering sub-surface ice or water, particularly in deeper regions like the Valles Marineris canyon system, which could provide insights into the possibility of life on Mars.
  • One participant speculates on the conditions in the Valles Marineris, suggesting that the deeper canyons could offer a more hospitable environment for microbial life due to higher atmospheric pressure and temperature stability.
  • A participant remarks on the complexity of the rovers' operations, noting the time it takes for them to traverse distances on Mars.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the impressive achievements of the Mars rovers and the potential for future exploration. However, there are multiple competing views regarding the implications of the rovers' findings and the feasibility of future missions targeting specific geological features.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the rovers' capabilities and the environmental conditions on Mars remain unresolved, particularly regarding the specifics of atmospheric measurements and the potential for life in various Martian terrains.

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http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0509/01marsrovers/

Astounding to think the rovers only had a such a limited life span expectation to begin with, yet they are still going so strong nearly two years on.

I wonder if they could carry on for a few more years yet?! After all the Martian summer must be around the corner, and the solar panels will get ample charging from the overhead passing sun in the equatorial locations...



AA
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Regarding the summer, the summer solstice on Mars just passed (about a week ago, I think). The to rovers are both in the southern hemisphere, and their days will be getting shorter and colder now.

However, the mission controllers are still talking as though they have plans to continue the mission for several months to come. In fact, in a recent article there was reference to one location where Spirit could spend much of the winter, because there is a rock outcropping to shelter from the Martian wind, and the slope would angle the solar panels so that they catch the maximum possible amount of sunlight. Sounds like they still plan on roving when next spring comes around!
 
Keep it going as long as possible! I agree, this is quite amazing, certainly a successful mission. I remember when they first launched the rovers, and then when both successfully landed on Mars. I was so excited, but never believed they would operate for this long, I think it's great, there is so much about Mars to discover, and every piece of information gathered will contribute to future missions to Mars.

Does anybody know if the rovers take atmospheric measurements? That would be extremely useful information for planning a manned mission to the planet in the future.
 
The exploration data gathered so far is looking really promising, and will probably take many years of analysis to fulfill the mission's full potential. Climbing the hills obviously adds an extra dimension to all the surface geology, and is great. But if the terrain had offered depression gorges and chasms, that went deep into the crust, imagine how much value that would have added; the sub-surface ice and the frozen 'water table' surely can't be that far below the dry sea beds at both rover sites.

I'd really like to see future robots going deep into the floor of the Valles Marineris canyon system, which is about 5 or 6 km below the Martian 'mean sea level'. At such locations, the atmospheric pressure would be significantly greater and it is possible that liquid water could readily seep out of the water table...

Then also, those regions would get far less direct UV and harmful radiation exposure, being spots sheltered by the surrounding terrain, and it may just be possible for some primitive forms of life, such as algae or microbes to thrive under the conditions. Since the Valles Marineris canyon runs along the Martian equator, midday temperatures in such deep locations would probably average a comfy 20 degrees C or better all year round!

And if the seeping water there did vaporise into a localised 'cloud' that hung above the rocks, it could trap more heat from the daytime sun, to keep the place from plunging too far into the minus temperatures at night... keeping the locale comfortable for microscopic entities to possibly thrive...
I hope to see some future robotic missions that target the deep equatorial canyons of Mars, as that's where the greatest chances of locating any water or simple life would be, IMHO. :)

AA
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http://www.publishedauthors.net/aa_spaceagent/
The ultimate dream adventure awaiting humanity...
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That must be some complicated stuff to think that a rover takes months to go walking distances for us.
 

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