Droids With Staying Power
As much as humans here seem reluctant to leave their home planet, there is some small measure of extraplanetary exploratin occuring. Of course, since some of the tasks involved are considered both hazadrous and tedious, they are assigned to droids to perform.
One of these droids, the Spirit Rover on your near neighbor, Mars, is celebrating its fifth operational anniversary. This is not an inconsiderable task, given the climate and distance from the droid’s operators.
Also of note, the Opportunity, twin to the Spirit, will be passing the same milestone on January 24. For the occasions, NASA has assembled a video about the Mars Rovers, showing some of the humans behind the twins. Some of the views, not only of the Rovers, but the landscape itself is quite attractive, and the enthusiasm and care those behind the scenes show is rather touching.
NASA Spirit Rover Celebrates Five Productive, Dusty Years On Mars
