Space Robotics

Mars Rovers Continue after Storm

Posted 28 Aug 2007 at 17:13 UTC by Rog-a-matic Share This

The dust is clearing on Mars and both of NASA's rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, are slowly resuming activity after 6 weeks of waiting. Power collected from Opportunity's solar panels has reached 300 watt-hours which is enough to run a typical house light for 3-5 hours. Daily communication and a little movement is now possible.

Let me be the first to say..., posted 28 Aug 2007 at 22:05 UTC by jeffkoenig » (Master)

Yay!

Everyone involved in the design and development of these tenacious little robots should get a big, fat raise.

(As an aside, if anyone knows of any company producing a high-quality model kit or toy of either of these robots, please let me know.)

Good engineering, posted 29 Aug 2007 at 18:57 UTC by motters » (Master)

I agree with the above. It is quite an achievement to build a robot which can wander around for several years with no maintenance in a hostile, partly unknown environment.

Here's a kit, posted 30 Aug 2007 at 05:17 UTC by robodave » (Journeyer)

Think it's unofficial but : http://www.modelenium.co.uk/models/Mars-Exploration-Rover--H4601.aspx

Read somewhere that official rights to a kit was sold to Lego, but who knows?

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