Spacegeek34 wrote:

http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/new...?id=news%2F110
14top.xml

See this story. Given their success, why not send some more of essentially the
same model? With just minor improvements design costs will be minimal, and they
can learn from their mistakes.

Send a half dozen to other perspective sites, that can be more challenging.
losses can be expected, but big returns are possible from very rough terrain.

Now go ahead with newer models.... but why ditch what proves to be a excellent
design?

Personally I would like to see a rover visit some previous landing sites.

Astounding success yes, but no life has been found, and
seems like finding it requires a different mindset.

You can't find something if you do not believe it is there...

Spirit and Opportunity weren't designed to look for life. They
roam around making holes, and measuring the rocks.

But it is not geology but biology what makes Mars interesting.

Life there could be quite different to what we know.

Months after the landing, I would like to know if there are
any measurements of movement in the soil.

Because at least the dust is moving, as it shapes the surface.

It would be really interesting if the mindset of the
vehicle drivers would change a bit.

The measurement I am speaking about is very simple:

1: Photograph a piece of terrain.
2: Turn the camera left a bit.
3: Compare the last photograph of this terrain
with this one. Are they identical?
Has something moved?

if (yes) {
Filter it, and wait 2 units. Did it move
again?
if (yes) {
call earth.
Take a photograph each unit until
earth replies.
}
else {
mark this point as interesting
}
}
else {
Take a new photograph of the new terrain.
goto 2:
}

This program doesn't use much power, and no movements
outside the camera are needed.

The characterization of dust particles is maybe beyond
the reolution of the cameras, but small rocks are pushed
by the wind. The wind moves a global dust layer around
the whole planet. We *should* see things moving, flowing
very slowly. And it could be interesting if we found something
isn't it?

Methane has been found, something is breathing there!!!

Ahh what a missed opportunity.

A missed opportunity because there is no spirit.

No spirit of adventure damm.