Free Spirit Testing Nearing Completion

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/features.cfm?feature=2249

Free Spirit Testing Nearing Completion
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
July 30, 2009

Mars rover engineers at JPL are winding down testing of different
escape
maneuvers using a test rover in a sand box filled with soil to mimic
the
Martian surface. It is possible that in early August the first
extraction attempts with Spirit rover, which is dug-in on Mars, might
take place.

This week, longer-duration test runs continued, and the team drove the
rover several meters, or yards, forward and uphill in a crab-like
position. These long-duration drives will continue through the end of
next week.

Meanwhile, observations from the Mars Climate Sounder instrument on
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter indicate to scientists that a large
regional storm is developing. Right now the dust storm is not near
Spirit or its twin, Opportunity, but scientists will continue to
monitor
it as it develops. Since Mars is still in the dust storm season, it is
possible (and perhaps even probable) that the storm will continue to
grow over the next few days.

o Visit the Free Spirit website http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/freespirit/