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Nasa nervous as first Mars rover approaches surface
Washington, Dec 03: Nasa has warned that the imminent arrival of a Mars rover on the red planet is fraught with uncertainty, not least because of strong winds and the sharp rocks that litter Mars` surface.
Washington, Dec 03: Nasa has warned that the imminent arrival of a Mars rover on the red planet is fraught with uncertainty, not least because of strong winds and the sharp rocks that litter Mars' surface.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) issued the caution yesterday as its Mars exploration rover hurtles towards Mars.
"Spirit" is the first of two rovers due to touchdown on the planet in Janaury.
"I don't know what else humans could have done to make these two rovers successful," said Ed Weiler, Nasa's associate administrator for space science.
Nasa launched its two Mars rovers into space on June 10 and July 7 respectively. The craft -- which form a 800 million dollar mission -- will follow in the tracks of the "Sojourner" rover that touched down on Mars in 1997 in a bid to establish if conditions for life exist.
"The risk is real but so is the potential reward," Weiler told reporters at a press conference.
More than half of the 30 missions launched to Mars have failed. Both rovers will have to make textbook landings on the planet's rock-strewn surface.
The slightest bout of misfortune like a malfunction of the landers' retro rockets or a sharp rock bursting one of the landers' airbags could easily turn the rovers' lights out.
Nasa is upbeat the landings will go well and that it will reap the rewards.
Bureau Report
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) issued the caution yesterday as its Mars exploration rover hurtles towards Mars.
"Spirit" is the first of two rovers due to touchdown on the planet in Janaury.
"I don't know what else humans could have done to make these two rovers successful," said Ed Weiler, Nasa's associate administrator for space science.
Nasa launched its two Mars rovers into space on June 10 and July 7 respectively. The craft -- which form a 800 million dollar mission -- will follow in the tracks of the "Sojourner" rover that touched down on Mars in 1997 in a bid to establish if conditions for life exist.
"The risk is real but so is the potential reward," Weiler told reporters at a press conference.
More than half of the 30 missions launched to Mars have failed. Both rovers will have to make textbook landings on the planet's rock-strewn surface.
The slightest bout of misfortune like a malfunction of the landers' retro rockets or a sharp rock bursting one of the landers' airbags could easily turn the rovers' lights out.
Nasa is upbeat the landings will go well and that it will reap the rewards.
Bureau Report