Simviation Forums

 For those of you who haven't heard NASA is not getting data back from the rover they have on the surface of Mars.  NASA does receive a "signal" from the rover but the data is unintelligible.  NASA techs think its a software problem (yea, a 'little green man' sotware problem).  Looks like you can chalk up another one for the "angry red planet"!

Hope they weren't relying on Windows.

latest reports i have read say they have gotten more data back from it but it could be days or weeks before they fix it. With its twin ship coming into land tomorow i think, theres still pleanty they can do even if this is a loss. I'd say what they have gotten so far has been amazing.
This is what ya get for using windows to power these things though:)

I wonder if this is some design flaw.  The Spirit Rover has a sister (exactly the same I believe) that is scheuduled to land on the other side of Mars sometime soon.  If it's some serious design flaw, the may have 2 useless rovers on the Martian surface soon.

 Don't get me wrong, I'm all for space exploration, but for the money they spent on that thing NASA could have given the cash to me and I could of updated my rig.
 Also I'm not all that keen on that "bounce" landing technique NASA uses.  Even in Mars gravity the landing must still be jaring.

Todays press release gives some vague details of the situation at hand........

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/20040123b.html

News flash:

 "Huston Police are acccusing 'little green men' of grand thief rover!"

 NASA should have installed a 'low-jack' system on the probe.

Seems like at least something there works!

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/01/2 ... index.html

It seems to be back on line. Apparently Mars is where European probes go to die.

 Should've known.

They should've used ME, it's far more stable LMAO!!!

 Should've known.

They should've used ME, it's far more stable LMAO!!!

with windows me,that thing wouldn't even boot up after touchdown...

i'd suggest linux.

Linux or Windows i read on CNN that if it found a problem it would re-write itself so be patient guys. It would be a great loss if NASA lost them but I think they dont build such a thing that cant be fixed in space by itself. Its like me buying a PC without a gurantee, tho I can do it i just think the WHAT IF  and buy the guarantee

WHAT IF our probe stops functioning? Re-write itself.

I read somewhere that if it's a software problem they should be able to fix that from Earth. Basically a case of rebooting the system & reprogramming if necessary. If it's hardware that's it. Kaput.

Having worked on mechanical components all my life I know from experience that if anything can go wrong - it will. This will inevitably happen at the most inconvenient time & somewhere out in the back of beyond with no spares readily available & nobody to hand with the tools or ablility to fit them.