Martian Autumn Could Halt Rovers' Activities

Pasadena, CA  |  As the Mars mission begins it's tenth week on the surface, NASA officials are expressing increased concerns about the rovers' solar panels.

Originally designed to complete a full 18 holes, the two competing rovers are still on the approach to the first flag. Overly optimistic expectation are being scaled back as the amount of sunlight decreases.

Although Spirit is on the fairway just short of the green, it appears the ball has been substituted with a sulphate nodule. JPL researchers are reviewing PGA rules to see if this is acceptable, and debating whether to continue using a wood or switch to an iron.

And Opportunity has been trying unsuccessfully to chip out of a water hazard since discovering it last month. Repeated commands transmitted from mission control to take the penalty stroke have, so far, been ignored.

ESPN, which suspended realtime broadcast of the tournament after its second week, says they have no plans to resume coverage. They will, however, continue to air foosball highlights from the International Space Station.