Terror of the Geeks

It's nice to know something is going better than expected.

The manager of NASA's Mars missions said Thursday they have extended the working lives of Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity until September and they could be extended even further.

Initially the missions were slated to last 90 days each, but with two healthy rovers returning regular information, the Mars rover project has been approved for a total of 250 days. That would prolong their missions until September 13. ...

There are several factors that limit the life of the Mars rovers. First, martian dust continues to build up on the solar panels, limiting the power intake. Additionally, as time goes by and the seasons change on Mars, the sun is getting lower and lower on the horizon, cutting down the power the rover can draw from it. ...

The rovers' life spans also are limited by wear and tear. The motors can take only so many operations, especially in the extreme environment of Mars, and all of the components are subject to day and night cycles of extreme temperatures.

The rovers have found clear evidence that water once flowed on Mars, evidence strong enough that even the most determined critics are at least for the moment silenced. In the extra time they may be able to provide information on how much water and, in the event we're really lucky, how long ago.