Space

DATE=01/10/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=MARS ROVER / SATURDAY (L)

NUMBER=2-311705

BYLINE=DAVID McALARY

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The U-S robot rover Spirit is finally standing up on Mars and nearly ready to drive off the lander onto the red planet's surface. V-O-A's David McAlary reports from Washington that surface exploration is just a few days away.

TEXT: U-S space agency engineers have finished raising the Spirit rover from a kneeling position, extending its six legs. They have also expanded the two forward and two rear legs outward to broaden the wheel base, making it more stable for the rocky Martian terrain.

Mission scientist Jennifer Trosper [rhymes with PROSPER] says the maneuvers complete the unpacking of the vehicle.

/// TROSPER ACT ///

Today is the day the Spirit rover finished its final unfolding on the surface of Mars. So it now stands full height and all six wheels are in their final position and ready to drive onto the surface of Mars. So It's a very big day for the Spirit rover.

/// END ACT ///

Engineers had to compress the rover so it could fit inside the spacecraft that flew it on its seven-month journey from Earth.

/// 2nd TROSPER ACT ///

Today we get to celebrate their endeavor to fit our square peg in our round or triangular hole.

/// END ACT ///

The unfolding of the Mars rover began soon after landing when solar panels were opened, antennas deployed, and a camera mast raised. The process of standing it up took the past two days, 12 explosive charges, and the activation of nine motors to release the legs and wheels from their packing configuration.

/// OPT /// The engineer who designed the process is Chris Voorhees.

/// VOORHEES ACT -OPT ///

Over the last couple of days, Spirit has performed what really I think is a reverse robotic origami as it unfolded itself and really turned itself from a lander into a rover.

/// END ACT -END OPT ///

Before the rover can depart the lander platform to begin seeking signs of ancient water on Mars, engineers must fire another explosive charge to release a set of blades to cut last of three restraining cables.

Ms. Trosper says rover surface deployment could be as early as Tuesday, two days later than originally planned. The maneuver was delayed while engineers struggled but failed to retract the airbags used to cushion Spirit's landing.

The deflated bags partially block the preferred exit path down a front ramp. Mission officials believe the rover can clear them by a tiny margin, but do not want to take the chance of snagging its solar panels. So Jennifer Trosper says the plan is to rotate the rover one-third of a turn and advance it over the side edge of the lander, a 40 centimeter drop.

/// 3rd TROSPER ACT ///

The rover is currently facing south, and so we would be turning to the northwest in order to drive off.

/// END ACT ///

A second U-S landing mission is only one week away. An identical spacecraft is to touch down on the opposite side of Mars with the same goal to search for evidence of ancient water that would have made the planet hospitable for life. (SIGNED)

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