MARS ROVER SPIRIT ROVES NO MORE!

Mars rover Spirit roves no more
NASA announces the explorer is now a stationary tool

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

NASA
Mars rover Spirit stuck in the dirt.The Mars rover Spirit might have lost its mobility, but NASA researchers won't pull its plug.

The plucky robot that set down on Mars in January 2004 has been stuck in powdery sand since April. NASA announced this afternoon that it's officially halting attempts to dislodge it.

Spirit will instead become a "stationary science platform," and will track tiny wobbles in Mars' rotation to gain insight about the planet's core.

The rover, like its twin, Opportunity, was not supposed to last longer than 90 days once it touched down on the harsh planet.

Spirit was driving south beside the western edge of a low plateau called Home Plate 10 months ago when its wheels broke through a crusty surface and churned into soft sand. Engineers worked to free the rover, but it has remained stuck.

In 2006, its sixth wheel quit working. In November, another wheel quit working.