Go, Go Robots

I enjoy hearing of NASA’s open-ended success stories, such as the fact that the Mars Exploration Rover Mission – robots Spirit and Opportunity – has marked its fifth anniversary.

At its inception, scientists were hoping for three months of activity before the Red Planet’s extreme climate struck them down. Recently, Spirit awoke from a winter break and responded to signals from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Remember Voyagers I and II? They were launched in 1977 to explore the outer planets. This they did and now, 31 years later, they continue exploring beyond the solar system.

You’ve got to love these stories.