On Wed, 21 Jan 2004 09:42:43 +1100, "Blurrt"
wrote:

NASA should fund two more identical rover missions using the Spirit rover
design but drop them into more challenging places.

With an increased risk of failure. Yet, the first one did do well,
despite it's scary landing, where maybe they could do something
tougher.

I vote to call the next two MERs "Sally" and "Debbie". ;-]

Still, until they roll a dozen MERs a day off their new mass
production line, then they will be thinking safety for their unique
hardware.

They could be ready for
launch in 2007 (or 2005 if back-up hardware was used and the money could be
put in place). If a system works - why not use it?

Maybe because in 2009 they will be launching something a whole lot
better than even these MERs.

Cardman
http://www.cardman.com
http://www.cardman.co.uk