Disappointing yes, but in reality, if the rover's travel 1m or 3000m it's
much the same muchness, the terrain isn't any more important really because
it's further away, it could study the rocks right next to the lander just as
much as those 500m away.

Though I agree, it would be nice to see it moving more, and just for the
pace to pick up in general. But I'm just glad they landed for now, just the
fact they managed to send back a panorama of their landing sites already is
a great accomplishment far as I am concerned, imagine if they hadn't made it
like Beagle, you'd still be wondering what those landing sites looked like!
I'm still annoyed the Polar lander buggered up, so these ones are doing
great by comparison.

I think the rovers, generally are doing a great job, any real dissapointment
isn't really related to the mission, which is great, but more to a broader
view of the situation, namely, how come we're still sending rovers instead
of a manned mission etc etc.

Kris
My Energia HLLV page: http://www.k26.com/buran/

"Mike Morris" wrote in message
...

While I am totally onside with the idea of exploring
mars and the rest of our solar system; I am starting
to wonder whether we have been sold a pup with
these MER rovers.

I have to say that so far I'm not too impressed with the
science that has come from the Mer rovers. I know
that more science should be forthcoming when the
rovers get on the road; but up to now, its been pretty
bland. Also, we keep being told that once such and
such happens, we'll know alot more.

Another thing is that with 2 rovers on the ground you'd
think NASA could give us a daily briefing but instead
we seem to get less briefings now.

I agree that NASA deserves great applause for getting
2 rovers safely on the ground; but I'm pretty disillusioned
by the very slow pace of the science teams. Maybe they could
stop gloating long enough to tell us something about Mars,
we didnt already know.

The only interesting science is the soil. I stand
to be corrected, but thats my take on this so far.