Didn't Spirit have 2 problems with its wheels? The current spike caused by lubricant moving around, which has since been resolved - they turned the wheel off for the most part only turning it occasionally while drivning to clear the debris that built up in fornt of it while being dragged. And also the same problem Oppy has right now of a problem with the steering actuator?

Spirit steering problem thread:
http://www.unmannedspaceflight.com/index.p...eering+actuator

I believe the trench is a byproduct of trying to resolve the mechanical problem by having some force on the wheel from the side. Driving back didn't help, so maybe turning will.

How much for a tow?

How far is the next filling station?

This is definitely going to require a rotation of the tires soon.

That's what we get for being to cheap to buy the Martian "onstar" package.

I hope the trade in is still good enough for a down payment on a new one.


scott

Ok, I just want to get this right.

It is the wheel steering motor for changing direction that maybe is broken?
The actual drive motor is still working right?

If it is only turned 7 degrees I think they still could drive pretty good backward not even dragging the wheel, just making some corrections from time to time.

The good thing is that it is not turned much more than it is. If it was turned 90 degrees it could really have been difficult to drive

Completely agree with you!
This is exactly the reason I'm proud to partecipate to this Forum!
Here I found deep knowdlege, experienced (and patient) people and timely informations.
Really, cannot ask anything better, I'm very lucky and I strongly hope discussion level will remain always so high!
Thanks to all this fantastic people! (and good luck to Oppy!!!!!! )

I suspect turning in place would be more difficult when oppy reaches solid ground. Are there steering actuators on all six wheels or just the four on the corners? Could it be possible to turn all the wheels 7 degrees to match then drive at an angle like a car with a bent frame, probably have to rewrite the navigation software again.

They can only steer on the fronts and rears

For the turning, just switch to "tank mode"

True, this forum has been able to keep the nuts out. I haven't followed it closely enough to know that certain people have inside knowledge and their info has always right. I'll take your word for it.

One thing to keep in mind -- we are not the press release people

They actually do exist somewhere, they are just really slow at times...

yes. definitely the best Mars Rover related forum out there

also very good: the mars board at Phil Plait's great "Bad Astronomy" site
...but not so much traffic over there ...

Would a solution to keep the rover driving in a straight line not be to drive with the same 7 degrees of "toe in" on the left front wheel?

Like this:


And perhaps doing it while driving backward for the best efficiency.

Any thoughts?

It seems to me like that would work, though it seems to me it would drag a bit..

If the motor is purposely disabled so that the rover can move forward (or backward), will the wheel then be locked at 7 degrees? Or will it turn freely, flopping whereever fate takes it? Or can the software simply be updated to not try to adjust the right front steering motor, thereby allowing it the possibility of 'fixing itself' while not requiring Mission Control to permanently disable the motor?

Were famous.... On spacedaily here is the Article.....

Mars Rover Opportunity Has Broken Wheel Motor

Opportunities right wheel actuator stalled on Sol 433.
Los Angeles, CA (SPX) Apr 16, 2005
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has experienced a significant breakdown with the suspected failure of the front right wheel motor.
According to a report posted on Doug Ellison's renowned Mars forum Unmannedspaceflight.com, "Opportunity's right front steering actuator stalled near the end of the drive on sol 433 (after 150 meters of driving).

"On sol 434, they backed up a meter or so and tried to straighten the wheel, but the steering motor stalled again without moving at all. Imaging doesn't show any reason for the stall. The wheel is about 7 degrees off from straight, which would still be driveable if they can't resolve the problem."

In the immediate period to the breakdown, Opportunity has reached Viking Crater, before continuing to Voyager Crater, taking panoramas of each crater and conducting detailed surface inspections.

During this period the Mars Odyssey orbiter also went into safe mode causing a suspension of data relay to Earth.

Driving resumed on sol 428 with data downlinked via the direct-to-Earth link. With the exception of the miniature thermal emission spectrometer (analysis is still in progress), Opportunity is in excellent health.

Does anyone have an update on where things stand now.

The latest images are available for Sol 437. More end of the track pixs. With a complete panorama.

I assume there will be a workaround soon enough for MER-B and onward it shall be.

simon at spacedaily.com

Hopefully we might get some idea of whats going on after the latest images are posted.......they shouldn't be too long