Mars Exploration Rover Mission Status - January 23, 2004

In article ,
Dennis Clark wrote:
I wonder when they'll actually send a lander to someplace that is interesting?

Geologically, the locations of the MERs *are* some of the most interesting
places on the planet, at least within the area that those particular
rovers can actually operate in (there are major engineering constraints).
In fact, landing in Gusev Crater was considered a little daring, but it
was eventually deemed worth the risk. The Meridiani Planum site was a
firm choice almost from the start, because the hematite deposits would be
a very high geological priority even if the site *wasn't* also quite
smooth and flat.

Don't confuse public-relations appeal with scientific interest.

Gosh, I have to choose between sending a lander 240million miles to land in
a desert where I'm pretty sure nothing is living...

Hint: almost all of Mars is a desert.

Other hint: these are geology missions. They have no biology instruments
and their science objectives are geological.

...OR I can send it to one of
the polar icecaps that advance and retreat and where unusual activities
may exist...

Tried in 1999 with MPL, unsuccessfully. The Phoenix lander in 2007 will
go to a "high-latitude" site, details not yet selected. The engineering
difficulties are major, but so is the level of interest.
--
MOST launched 30 June; science observations running | Henry Spencer
since Oct; first surprises seen; papers pending. |