Mars rovers are taught new tricks (BBC, JPL/NASA)

[eppur_se_muova]

***
Space agency scientists have begun testing four new skills included in flight software that has been uploaded to the rovers' onboard computers.

The two American rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, are approaching their third year on the Martian surface.

One of the new capabilities is designed to allow the rovers to make "intelligent" decisions in the study of Martian clouds and dust devils.
***
Another novel skill, called "visual target tracking", enables a rover to keep recognising a particular landscape feature as the rover moves.
***
Visual target tracking can be combined with a third feature of the software - autonomy in calculating where it is safe to reach out and analyse soil or rock with the science tools on the rover's robotic arm.
***
more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6224509.stm

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/20061228a.html

OK -- these rovers haven't been touched by engineers for three and a half years. They've flown through space, been dropped onto a nearly airless surface, and survived months of subfreezing nights -- and they're actually IMPROVING in performance. I think the guys who designed and built these should be put in charge of just about EVERYTHING.

[evlbstrd]

1. Mars Rover Beginning To Hate Mars (The Onion)

PASADENA, CA—NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists overseeing the ongoing Mars Exploration Rover Mission said Monday that the Spirit's latest transmissions could indicate a growing resentment of the Red Planet.

Enlarge Image
Spirit completes a diagram of an erect human penis on the planet's dusty surface.

"Spirit has been displaying some anomalous behavior," said Project Manager John Callas, who noted the rover's unsuccessful attempts to flip itself over and otherwise damage its scientific instruments. "And the thousand or so daily messages of 'STILL NO WATER' really point to a crisis of purpose."

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/54360

Seriesly, thogh, that's very cool.

[FogerRox]

2. KNR, those guys earned their paychecks

and a raise. ANd yeah they should be given some more responsibility, LOL.