Mars Rover Will Rove No More

NASA gives up trying to get it unstuck from the sand

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 26, 2010 5:15 PM CST

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Mars Rover Will Rove No More — This image provided by NASA July 14, 2009, shows an image from NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit. It was taking exposures with different color filters to capture a dust devil. (AP Photo/NASA)

NASA has given up on trying to get the Spirit rover out of the Martian sand trap it's been stuck in since May. Calling the rover's position "a golfer's worst nightmare," engineers are now focused on simply helping the rover to survive the Martian winter. If it does, Spirit could continue to function as a fixed science outpost, reports Space.com.

"This is not a day to mourn Spirit. This is not a day of loss," says NASA's director of Mars exploration, stressing that the rover way outlasted its 90-day mission before getting stuck. " Its driving days are likely over, however its contribution will continue ." To survive the harsh winter coming, the team will put Spirit into a hibernation of sorts.

(More NASA stories.)

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