Endeavour Drive - Drivability analysis Options

[djellison]

http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/200809191

You can listen via NPR, or via one of the web feeds that are listed on the site, but make sure you do listen if you can.

[fredk]

Having finally listened to the interview, my favourite line is definitely

we've exhausted the easy places, so it's time to do something hard

One thing to add is I think Endeavour is 12km as the Martian crow flies, so it would be a fair bit farther for a realistic zig-zaggy route. And of course it depends on what part of Endeavour they choose as the first target. The far (SE) rim looks maybe most interesting, then the west rim, and then the north rim. Or would they be more interested in driving into the interior?

My guess is still that the north rim would be easiest to get to, by heading NE and then following the flat "tarmac" east. But who knows - maybe with hirise they think they could make their way fast through dunes. Also Squyres said they're interested in science on the way southeast - that has to be an important consideration when the final target is maybe two years away!

Whatever route they choose, I can't wait to get on board as a back seat driver!