Mars Rovers Sent on Final Mission

[Sarevok]

After a while, the rovers get covered with dust, so they can't run on solar forever.

Have they ever thought about putting windshield wipers on the solar panels?

Or using miniture nuclear batteries?

There are plans for a RTG powered Rover mission in 2009.

[Chardok]

I have an idea for a power supply...Hydrogen! Easy, right? First, you fly some tanks of hydrogen to Mars and land em. then, send up your probe and VOILA! you got yourself tons of renewable power! All you have to do is ste it up so the lander's arm or whatever can attach a hose to the tank's fitting. I bet we could get enough power up there for a looooooooooong time! Especially if you combine it with solar cells!
OR! Instead of two probes, you could send mobile hydrogen tanks, on tracks, that could follow the rover around, so that the rover wouldn't be limited to being able to move only short distances away from the fuel supply. So, Instead of two probes next time, just one (We won't need two because of everything we have learned from Spirit and opportunity) just one, and the fuel "Tank" I even have a cool acronym for it! The M.A.R.S. Rover! (Mobile automated refueling system)

Okay, I know, it can't be done without redesigning the capsule that spirit is in (Did you guys know that spirit and opportunity went to mars in the same sized capsule as the much smaller sojurner? Neat! God, I love NASA!)

[His Divine Shadow]

They should have had a sent a nuclear self-destruct with the rover that would explode when it goes out, as a final "fuck you" to all the martians in the vicinity, just to let them know we're coming for them.

[Nathan F]

They should have had a sent a nuclear self-destruct with the rover that would explode when it goes out, as a final "fuck you" to all the martians in the vicinity, just to let them know we're coming for them.

FUQ!

That's hilarious.