Mars Rover Needs A Winch

[R_Lefebvre]

Ok, you recovery experts, help NASA out of a bind. Anybody got any ideas?

http://jalopnik.com/5284471/nasas-spirit-mars-rover-is-in-a-bit-of-a-bind

BTW, is the Mars Rover officially on an Expedition, or just Back Country? :wings:

 

[James86004]

Too bad its warranty period expired 1800 days ago. NASA keeps extending the mission, but it looks pretty stuck. It has had one wheel stuck for a couple of years now, so it has to drive backwards and drag the wheel.

 

[grahamfitter]

How about pushing on the ground with the camera robot arm to lift the vehicle up so it can drive off?

Cheers,
Graham

 

[michaelgroves]

For less than $100, they could've equipped it with a Hi-Lift jack! Stoopid rocket scientists!

 

[Brian McVickers]

On the next one they should mount a little tiny Pull-Pal on the end of a cable. When stuck it could shoot out the anchor and then winch itself off!

Or some sort of (emergency use only) ride height adjustment system.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Airbags on the next Rover? :victory:

 

[mmccurdy]

For less than $100, they could've equipped it with a Hi-Lift jack! Stoopid rocket scientists!

Hrm... so that's $100 for the cost of the jack, then (assuming 14kg of mass) about half a million bucks to get it to Mars... that's assuming you're still getting a ride on a Delta II, and if that's the case, what instruments will you be getting rid of? IIRC the entire Pancam Mast Assembly weighed in at around 9kg...

j/k of course, but when you're talking about launching stuff hundreds of millions of miles away, things get complicated pretty quickly...

I spent about 48 hours last weekend winching my way through the second 10 miles of the Rubicon in 2WD, and I actually worked on the Mars Rover mission back in the day (I do activity planning and resource modeling software as my regular-person job), so you can bet I feel their pain and I'm pullin' for it to get "unstuck" soon :sombrero:

 

[TEJASYOTA]

Stuck...no AAA?:bike_rider:

 

[muddyluxury]

drop a thermite gernade, mark with IR chem light and call in an Airstrike, then CM... wait we can't do that to five years of NASA's budget can we?

 

[2drx4]

They should have recruited better drivers to avoid getting in that situation. :smiley_drive:


Actually, I hope they get it unstuck. I always like to see a piece of equipment outlive it's expectations. Like both the Voyagers, they're still out there...

 

[Antichrist]

That's what they get for measuring tire dia in centimeters and obstructions in inches.

They need a Pilow Track.

 

[lowenbrau]

I guess Japan could send a MarsCruiser with a tuggum strap.

Have they tried airing down? Interco should sponsor the tires on the next mission. Those street tires look to be wearing well but are a bit underclassed in the rough stuff.

 

[Schattenjager]

Next mission will require spotters, no doubt