Despite being stricken on the surface of Mars for six months, there may possibly yet be hope for NASA rover Spirit subsequent to the U.S. space administration revealed a plan to save its stranded but otherwise functioning science vehicle. The roving exploration platform became stuck in a sand trap back in April also it is currently straddling the edge of a crater, where it might rest for all time if NASA is incapable to translate successful test escapes performed on Earth into a similar result on the dusty and inhospitable Martian surface.
“If we follow our tracks out, we can be able to make better progress,” explained rover controller Ashley Stroupe of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory regarding earlier failed attempts to crab the vehicle free.
However, though NASA remains optimistic of rescuing Spirit from its sticky predicament, engineers have warned that the rover’s six wheels – one of which became worthless soon after touchdown – might be prone to slippage and a lack of traction.
NASA’s attempts to free Spirit will begin this coming Monday (November 16) and will continue, if immediately unsuccessful, until at least Friday (November 20).
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