Mars rover's wheel breaks as winter beckons

[FLO]

The front right wheel of NASA's Spirit rover has stopped working – just as the approaching Martian winter means it is increasingly urgent that it gets to a northerly facing slope, to maximise the sunlight falling on its solar arrays.

http://tinyurl.com/hroo8

[OXO]

Oh No :shock: i hope they can get round this i have an affection for the rovers

[GordonCopestake]

Well the've done well though to get so far. They've been there for 2 years and it's hardly a hospitable climate. They were sposed to last just a few months if i remember correctly so a few years is blumming brilliant! The advantage of redundant systems though is that theres another rover going strong.

[OXO]

Amazingly well Mate i just want them to last forever been such an exciting mission and amazing feat of endurance

[GordonCopestake]

I agree wholeheartidly (sp?). Although for the next mission I want to be at the wheel!

[OXO]

That would be great wouldnt it Gordon

[FLO]

I was wondering: Being a six-wheeler, perhaps it can simply lift the front wheel off the ground and run on five?

[OXO]

Good point Steve, i think its possiable so long as the Wheel can lift(Knackered one)

[The Warthog]

Did they get AA or RAC memberships before they left? :?

[GordonCopestake]

Only RoadSide and they aint got no roads up there

[Astroman]

I was wondering: Being a six-wheeler, perhaps it can simply lift the front wheel off the ground and run on five?

Nope. The front wheels can only fold whent he solar arrays are folded also. If it's free-wheeling, (so to speak), it shouldn't be a problem, except for the loss of drive torque. If it's frozen, it will affect mobility, and that's a problem.

You gotta look at the good news, though. It lasted for about 1.6 YEARS longer than it was designed to last. I'm not saying it's done just yet, but the amount of science they've got out of it is a great gift. Plus, there's Opportunity up there too, still chuggin'.