Getting Unstuck in West Valley Options

[djellison]

slush

From what I've read, I've not seen anyone mention or realistically propose slush as a current day occurrence anywhere on Mars. Not to mention, it's taking this particular thread very off topic.

[fredk]

What I wondered is whether the soil in Gusev crater would become harder and so easier to drive through during the martian winter?

The question of the properties of dry soil as temperatures drop has already been addressed - see the entry on trying to drive at night in the extraction FAQ.

[nprev]

Just out of curiosity, how long has it been since any of the wheels have been moved?

Reason I ask is that it might be interesting to take another look with the IDD & see if any of the disturbed soil has begun to settle a bit--or has blown away, for that matter. If the direction & intensity of the wind was favorable there might be a bit of a venturi effect under Spirit (though of course not enough to free her by excavating the wheels.) Could provide some more insight into the various materials' properties, if we're lucky.

[briv1016]

I think with the latest downlink all of the L2 images from the Calypso Pan are down in full. Someone want to check me on that?

Edit: Both L2 & R2 images are now down. Still waiting on L5 & L7.

[alan]

Calypso panorama R2 (autostitched)

[BrianL]

Paolo, can you give us any info on the various test results so far? Anything look promising, or "Eww, that just didn't work at all"?

[Julius]

I see that Spirit has been stuck around this area on Mars for quite some time now..would that explain the Ulysses and Calypso panorama terms being used following the concept of Ulysses being held on the island of OGYGIA(today island of Calypso) in Homer's famous ODyssey??I'm sure that Spirit will free herself just like Ulysses managed to set himself free from the spell of the nymph Calypso and continue on his voyage of discovery just like Homer had described it!

[RoverDriver]

Paolo, can you give us any info on the various test results so far? Anything look promising, or "Eww, that just didn't work at all"?

I don't thnk it would be appropriate for me to discuss the results even because we are still evaluating the results. I hope you understand.

Paolo

[Tesheiner]

I see that Spirit has been stuck around this area on Mars for quite some time now..would that explain the Ulysses and Calypso panorama terms being used following the concept of Ulysses being held on the island of OGYGIA(today island of Calypso) in Homer's famous ODyssey??I'm sure that Spirit will free herself just like Ulysses managed to set himself free from the spell of the nymph Calypso and continue on his voyage of discovery just like Homer had described it!

Search for "Calypso" in this very same thread and you'll find the answer, whose first letter is "y".

[Julius]

That Mediterranean Island is my island!!Enjoy!

[Astro0]

Meanwhile OnTopic...

OK, so far as we know up until a few days ago the Rover team have tried 4 or 5 of the first 11 driving maneuvers they want to test.
1) Straight forwards;
2) Straight backwards;
3) 'Crabwalk' - driving upslope with the wheels turned at 60 degrees to the right;
4) 'Crabwalk' - driving upslope with the wheels turned 20 degrees to the right;
5) 'Crabwalk' - driving downslope backwards with the wheels turned 60 degrees to the right;

It's a fair bet that 6) will be:
6) 'Crabwalk' - driving downslope backwards with the wheels turned 20 degrees to the right;

I'd guess that 7 thru 10 will be crabwalks with the wheels at 60 and 20 degrees left(?), and then 11(?)

What do people think will be maneuvers 7 to 11?
Then what techniques after that?

Remember to read the Extraction FAQ to see what they have done, might try, can't do, won't do.

[Julius]

Sorry to seem to be sticking to the same topic but forgive my excitement but as I recall the Odyssey story had come up after naming Santorini at Opportunity's track at Meridiani...but I have to say the idea of the Calypso panorama is a brilliant idea...i believe the genius has been Ustrax!??right?

[djellison]

I wonder if one technique might be tank-tracking for a rotation

[nprev]

I thought that "tank mode" was already tried--briefly-- as soon as she got stuck. Doesn't mean it won't be tried again, of course.

[RoverDriver]

I thought that "tank mode" was already tried--briefly-- as soon as she got stuck. Doesn't mean it won't be tried again, of course.

We actually never tried true tank steering, but we tried a turn in place, which failed because it timed out.

Paolo