Next-gen Mars rover mission delayed until 2011

NASA will delay the launch of the next-generation Mars rover two years due to technical difficulties and cost overruns.

The mission, which was originally scheduled for late next year, is now slated for 2011, officials said Thursday, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. The new target date was the earliest available because missions to Mars can be launched only every 26 months, when the Earth and Mars are properly aligned.

The SUV-size rover, known as the Mars Science Laboratory, is designed to explore the planet's surface for the possibility of habitability, both current and past. But problems developed in the design and operation of the 31 actuators that control the mechanics of the craft, including the steering mechanism and its robotic arm, according to the report.

Meanwhile, NASA plans to try to contact the Mars Phoenix lander in the Martian spring, according to a Reuters report. The Phoenix, which landed on Mars in May, last communicated with the Mars Odyssey orbiter on November 2, when the lander lost power and shut down.

NASA had expected the Phoenix to lose power during the harsh Martian winter, when temperatures dip to negative 150 degrees Fahrenheit. But NASA said there is a chance that the lander survived the winter and will try to re-establish contact in the Martian spring.

[smallvoice]

In less than 100 years, most of us living on earth now will be gone to the next stage of life, and then we will face the reality then, just as we face the reality of life right now. And there are many things we need to prepare for that transition. And that is most important.

But, we should not be so heavenly-minded to be of no earthly use, nor be wasteful.
There are many social and scientific researches we need to do to improve our health and safety.
There is no creature like us human beings out there in the space, even if there is some plant or bug over there. Because, we, a living soul, cannot evolve from anything. "In the beginning, God created the
heaven and the earth."
We need to focus on practical things, and not on fancies. I am for scientific researches, and that rigorous researches. But, we need researches for military defense, for improvement of our health and welfare of our fellow human beings.

[gerrrg]

I think what you're trying to say, is that long before NASA gets a person on Mars, we'll all be dead...by 100 years or more.

We really don't need research on weapons. Weapons only kill, and God's most important rule is to preserve life.

[jacksoncapper]

"There is no creature like us human beings out there in the space, even if there is some plant or bug over there."

That's a big and premature claim. The Vatican has already acknowledged that advanced aliens may exist, and that belief in their existence does not conflict with Christian faith.

The exporation of Mars drives innovation and technological advancement. Health and welfare will hopefully come along for the ride. I do agree that NASA's use of resources is wasteful and they do need to become much more efficient. They should be achieving the same goals at at least half the cost.

[colombiankid]

There are actually many benefits that come from the exploration of space that many people overlook. You also need to keep in mind that, while you may not see the benefit of some research today, your children may be better for it in the future.
At his time, people didn't see the point behind his laws of electromagnetism, now look what we have today. Looking at today, it's not hard to see the different ways that we have benefited from the exploration of space.
Look at this scenario: Say your cellphone woke you up this morning, you used your remote control to turn on the TV and saw the weatherman's forecast of the weather. You eat a granola bar for breakfast and turn on your computer (which happens to be powered by solar cells on your roof) to check your email.
Guess what? All of the above things are possible due to the research we've done for outer space.
Also keep in mind that it's never a good idea to keep all your eggs in one basket. Right now there's about six and a half billion eggs on this basket we call earth.
Remember also that Columbus discovered America by accident, he actually had a hard time getting funding for his voyage because people didn't see the point. You never know what we might gain from all the research we're doing now.
As a conclusion, I leave you with a shortlist of items that owe their existence to the exploration of outer space:
Dustbuster, shock-absorbing helmets, home security systems, smoke detectors, flat panel televisions, high-density batteries, trash compactors, food packaging and freeze-dried technology, cool sportswear, sports bras, hair styling appliances, fogless ski goggles, self-adjusting sunglasses, composite golf clubs, hang gliders, art preservation, and quartz crystal timing equipment.
Gasoline vapor recovery, self-locking fasteners, machine tool software, laser wire stripper, lubricant coating process, wireless communications ,Storm warning services (Doppler radar), firefighters' radios, lead poison detection, fire detector, flame detector, corrosion protection coating, protective clothing, and robotic hands,water purification systems, scratch resistant lenses ,solar energy.

[marvinsfane]

Well said!!

This is not just the case for space exploration but for all forms of science. There are so many less than critical thinkers out there that just love to have a go at scientific research. Yet the vast majority of the 6 odd billion people on this planet would not know what to do with themselves if no scientific discoveries were made and they'ed still be living in caves.

Its not just the discoveries, but the ingenuity of those scientists and others in peripheral industries that can put those discoveries to use in such a creative and ultimately beneficial ways.

Consider the humble microwave oven. In just 2 minutes and your meal of noodles is done! yet very few realise that this method of cooking, was dependent on 1: The discovery of radio waves, 2: The creative application of radio waves to detect enemy aircraft in WWII - RADAR and 3: Post WWII creative thought shown, that RADAR and radio waves, create heat, therefor dinner time !! and the first Microwave oven was created.

But we should also not be complacent. Scientific discovery and application can also lead to disaster. So Cliche: Nuclear Energy, can show the extremes when applied in vastly different ways.

[tacit]

Evangelical Christians believe that there is no point to this research because they believe that Jesus will return and Armageddon will happen within the next 50 to 100 years. Much like they have for the last two thousand.

Fortunately, other folks continue the advance of human knowledge anyway.