NASA-International Space Station: Mars rover makes its initial slow step out of its canal

Mars rover makes its initial slow step out of its canal

NASA's stuck Mars rover successfully completed the first step of a two-part attempt to remove the explorer from a sand trap on the red planet.NASA announced that after spinning its wheels forward, the rover Spirit progressed slightly.

Spirit rover

However, NASA said the progress was too slight to establish any instant trends for hopes of freeing the stalled rover, which landed on Mars in 2004 with its twin Opportunity and has far surpassed its expected three months of usefulness.

Spirit was moving backward in April when its wheels broke through Mars' soft surface and became stuck in a scrap of talcum-like dirt. The rover tried to plot its way out of the sand trap but its wheels sunk deeper.

The plan calls for Spirit to impel forward and retrace its steps in an effort to free itself.

Spirit landed on Mars with six operational wheels but soon lost movement in its right front wheel. The rover since has been exploring the planet dragging its broken wheel down.

Attempts to free the rover will prolong until at least February. If Spirit is not free by then, NASA may choose whether it's worth it to keep trying, said Doug McCuistion, who heads the Mars exploration program at NASA headquarters.

Posted by CuttsMatt | at 9:27 PM