Mars rover Curiosity stands down after new problem

Another problem is preventing the Mars rover Curiosity from resuming its science experiments.

The mission's chief scientist said Monday the rover went into safe mode again over the weekend because of a computer file error. In safe mode, activities are on hold but the rover remains in contact with Earth.

Curiosity was sidelined earlier this month after a problem with its computer memory. The team had hoped to restart experiments this week when the new problem cropped up.

Since arriving at Gale Crater last year, Curiosity drilled into its first rock and determined the ancient environment could have supported primitive life. Scientists have planned more drilling before starting the long journey toward a mountain.

[imnho]

Its silly to think of the stand down as some kind of conspircy. heyare just putting the other experments on hold until they figure out the latest anomaly.

[Ulgnud]

It is becoming more and more obvious we need people on the ground on Mars. Even with functioning rovers it takes too long to explore. A good team of geologists with a couple of botanists, properly equipped, would speed things up immensely.

[AJ7543]

NASA dictionary: Stand down - When a secret task or something interesting that we do not intend to allow the public to know about comes up, shift to a secure channel to conduct the activity while releasing a report falsly suggesting yet another problem of some sort has caused us to shut down while "fixing it".

[Ulgnud]

I really hope you are wrong, but I would not be surprised if what you say turns out to be the case.

[Bojax39]

Yeah, like Martians making faces at the camera or something. :-)