Topic: NASA's Spirit Mars Exploration Rover (2004-2010)
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-24-2011 05:48 PM
NASA release
NASA Concludes Attempts To Contact Mars Rover Spirit
NASA is ending attempts to regain contact with the long-lived Mars Exploration Rover Spirit, which last communicated on March 22, 2010.
A transmission that will end on Wednesday, May 25, will be the last in a series of attempts. Extensive communications activities during the past 10 months also have explored the possibility that Spirit might reawaken as the solar energy available to it increased after a stressful Martian winter without much sunlight. With inadequate energy to run its survival heaters, the rover likely experienced colder internal temperatures last year than in any of its prior six years on Mars. Many critical components and connections would have been susceptible to damage from the cold.
Engineers' assessments in recent months have shown a very low probability for recovering communications with Spirit.
Communications assets that have been used by the Spirit mission in the past, including NASA's Deep Space Network of antennas on Earth, plus two NASA Mars orbiters that can relay communications, now are needed to prepare for NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission. MSL is scheduled to launch later this year.
"We're now transitioning assets to support the November launch of our next generation Mars rover, Curiosity," said Dave Lavery, program executive for solar system exploration. "However, while we no longer believe there is a realistic probability of hearing from Spirit, the Deep Space Network may occasionally listen for any faint signals when the schedule permits."
Spirit landed on Mars on Jan. 3, 2004, for a mission designed to last three months. After accomplishing its prime-mission goals, Spirit worked to accomplish additional objectives. Its twin, Opportunity, continues active exploration of Mars.
Max Q Member
Posts: 399 From: Whyalla South Australia Registered: Mar 2007
posted 05-25-2011 03:48 AM
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GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 2476 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 05-25-2011 04:15 AM
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divemaster Member
Posts: 1376 From: ridgefield, ct Registered: May 2002
posted 05-25-2011 06:51 AM
Kudos to the designers who said it had a 90 day life span that turned into six years for one of them, while the other still trudges on. The science we have amassed will fill volumes. We should be very proud.
garymilgrom Member
Posts: 1966 From: Atlanta, GA Registered: Feb 2007
posted 05-25-2011 07:12 AM
Send Story and Mike, a couple of tools plus an extra circuit board - and Spirit will be good for another few years.
Per divemaster's comments the people behind this mission should be proud of their work.
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member
Posts: 3445 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
posted 05-25-2011 08:30 AM
I hope that one of the manned missions to Mars - whenever that might be - lands near Spirit, if anything for an astronaut to give a pat to the rover and a verbalized, "Thank you for all you've done." Then perhaps, erect a shelter over Spirit and a further, "Sleep well."
BC Member
Posts: 30 From: Springfield, IL, USA Registered: Nov 2008
posted 05-25-2011 09:06 AM
Congratulations to the incredible team that made Spirit such a success! Farewell Spirit, and we thank you!!
Philip Member
Posts: 5952 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 05-25-2011 09:58 AM
7 year itch for a Mars rover? Spirit and the JPL-team did a great job!
Looking forward to Curiosity...
Fezman92 Member
Posts: 1031 From: New Jersey, USA Registered: Mar 2010
posted 05-25-2011 10:52 AM
It is my hope that when we do send men and women to Mars that one of the things on the EVA check list is "pick up Spirit." These rovers should return to Earth for museum pieces one day.
ringo67 Member
Posts: 179 From: Seekonk, Mass., USA Registered: May 2003
posted 05-25-2011 11:24 AM
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Henk Boshuijer Member
Posts: 450 From: Netherlands Registered: May 2007
posted 05-25-2011 11:34 AM
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SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-25-2011 11:42 AM
quote:Originally posted by Fezman92: These rovers should return to Earth for museum pieces one day.
Naw... it's got to stay there and after being long forgotten, will be rediscovered by a stranded astronaut who will use its parts to fashion a makeshift radio much as Val Kilmer did in Red Planet.
ilbasso Member
Posts: 1522 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Feb 2006
posted 05-25-2011 12:18 PM
So sad to say goodbye to both Spirit and Endeavour in the same month!
posted 05-25-2011 04:07 PM
Farewell Spirit! Sleep well, you will always be remembered. Seems like we have lost a friend -- may Opportunity continue on for many more years.
bruce Member
Posts: 916 From: Fort Mill, SC, USA Registered: Aug 2000
posted 05-25-2011 05:18 PM
quote:Originally posted by Fezman92: These rovers should return to Earth for museum pieces one day.
Totally agree.
jasonelam Member
Posts: 691 From: Monticello, KY USA Registered: Mar 2007
posted 05-25-2011 10:36 PM
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capoetc Member
Posts: 2169 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
posted 05-26-2011 07:09 AM
quote:Originally posted by Fezman92: These rovers should return to Earth for museum pieces one day.
Hmmm ... why not have Spirit become a museum piece in a museum on Mars?
randy Member
Posts: 2176 From: West Jordan, Utah USA Registered: Dec 1999
posted 05-26-2011 11:59 AM
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hlbjr Member
Posts: 475 From: Delray Beach Florida USA Registered: Mar 2006
posted 05-26-2011 04:35 PM
You may be hardware, circuit boards, and silicon but you had a tenacious and determined soul Spirit. Thanks.
fredtrav Member
Posts: 1673 From: Birmingham AL Registered: Aug 2010
posted 05-26-2011 04:57 PM
Spirit, may your spirit continue to inspire.
music_space Member
Posts: 1179 From: Canada Registered: Jul 2001
posted 05-26-2011 09:36 PM
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tegwilym Member
Posts: 2331 From: Sturgeon Bay, WI Registered: Jan 2000
posted 05-27-2011 05:44 PM
I'm just waiting for the sad ending video like they released from Phoenix when that one was officially laid to rest! Great video though, but always has such a sad ending.
Dave Clow Member
Posts: 236 From: South Pasadena, CA 91030 Registered: Nov 2003
posted 06-01-2011 02:18 PM
One of the great pleasures of living close to JPL is getting to meet the people who make these projects such a resounding success. Spirit wasn't just a machine for them. She was a tenacious underdog with a heart and a soul, and she earned every inch she crossed. A salute to her and to everyone who rode with her.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 867 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 05-10-2013 09:10 PM
Here's a time-lapse video of Spirit's entire journey on Mars. It's just under 3 minutes long...
posted 05-24-2011 05:48 PM
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