Q: when is driving 35 Km an incredible feat?

[n2doc]

A: When it is done on another planet, by a vehicle not designed to go more than 1 Km!



by NANCY ATKINSON on AUGUST 31, 2012

Meanwhile, back in Meridiani Planum … the Opportunity rover keeps on trucking, and has now exceeded over 35 kilometers (21.75 miles) of driving on its odometer! Quite an accomplishment for the Energizer Bunny of Mars rovers, now operating for 3,057 Martian sols. As the MER team says, “Not bad for a vehicle designed for only about 1 kilometer (.6 miles) of distance and 90 sols (days) of lifetime.”
Oppy is now moving south along the inboard edge of Cape York on the rim of Endeavour Crater surveying exposed outcrop in search of phyllosilicate clay minerals that have been detected from orbit. These outcrops are quite interesting and attention-grabbing; here’s a look in color from Stuart Atkinson:


Read more: http://www.universetoday.com/97146/opportunity-rover-tops-35-kilometers-of-driving/

[Scuba]

1. Any sign of Mitt's taxes?

[lastlib]

2. LOL! (No, but I think he has a tax shelter there...)

[sakabatou]

3. I heard from some people that it was built too good

Because it takes up resources from other parts of NASA-JPL.

[n2doc]

4. That's really sad

Given the incredible effort it took to get it there, and the nearly unique opportunity it represents, the cost should be something we celebrate. And it is much less than 1, just 1,new jet fighter a year. But of course those are so much more important to have.

[Odin2005]

5. Proof that government things work!

The little rover that could!