Going The Distance 

With Spirit already in overtime, NASA has extended the MER mission until September, adding another 5 months to what was to be a 90-day project. Of course, the continued mission depends on the rovers being up to the task.

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Once Opportunity finishes its 91st sol, everything we get from the rovers after that is a bonus," said Dr. Firouz Naderi, manager of Mars exploration at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., where the rovers were built and are controlled. "Even though the extended mission is approved to September, and the rovers could last even longer, they also might stop in their tracks next week or next month. They are operating under extremely harsh conditions. However, while Spirit is past its 'warranty,' we look forward to continued discoveries by both rovers in the months ahead."

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:: :: 08:42 :: David :: [permalink] ::