NASA hopeful, but not confident, about ailing Mars rover

NASA's aging Spirit Mars rover, stuck in loose soil and forced to endure the harsh Martian winter with reduced solar power, has not phoned home since March 22. Officials warned Friday that "a miracle" may be needed to restore the rover to limited operation.

No longer mobile, Spirit was unable to orient itself to maximize solar-power levels before the onset of its fourth winter on Mars. Engineers expected the rover to put itself into electronic hibernation, suspending communications and conserving power to warm and recharge its batteries and to run an internal clock.

Recommended reading:


Mars 3-D: A Rover's-Eye View of the Red Planet



The KidHaven Science Library - The Mars Rovers (The KidHaven Science Library)



Cars on Mars: Roving the Red Planet

Recommended viewing:


StarryNight Wheels on Mars!



Roving Mars [Blu-ray]