https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/19/nasa-fixes-probe-mars-hitting-shovel/
Nasa has fixed a probe on Mars by hitting it with a robotic shovel.
The space agency resorted to traditional methods after a device that was supposed to dig into the Red Planet's soil got stuck.
Called the "mole," the 15-inch long burrowing implement became firmly wedged after the ground turned out to be clumpier than expected.
It has been stuck for months while scientists on Earth worked out what to do.
In the end they instructed InSight, the lander that delivered the "mole" to Mars, to use its shovel scoop to hit the probe.
Nasa said in a statement: "A bit of good news from Mars. Our new approach of using the robotic arm to push the mole appears to be working!
"We are excited to see the images and plan to continue this approach over the next few weeks."
Video released by Nasa showed the shovel being used to tap the side of the digging implement.
Scientists ran simulations on Earth, establishing how best to hit it without causing damage to delicate equipment.
The "mole" will measure temperatures under the surface of Mars and establish more information about its core, and how the planet formed.
InSight, which stands for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, landed on Mars in November 2018.
It has been sending back weather reports daily, and has recorded seismic activity on the planet. Nasa said it did not believe the "mole" had got stuck because it hit a rock under the surface.
In a statement the space agency said: "Most of the team remains confident that a rock didn't cause the mole to rebound.
"The strategy of 'pinning,' pressing the robotic arm's scoop against the side of the mole...helped the mole progress downward."
Nasa has fixed a probe on Mars by hitting it with a robotic shovel.
The space agency resorted to traditional methods after a device that was supposed to dig into the Red Planet's soil got stuck.
Called the "mole," the 15-inch long burrowing implement became firmly wedged after the ground turned out to be clumpier than expected.
It has been stuck for months while scientists on Earth worked out what to do.
In the end they instructed InSight, the lander that delivered the "mole" to Mars, to use its shovel scoop to hit the probe.
Nasa said in a statement: "A bit of good news from Mars. Our new approach of using the robotic arm to push the mole appears to be working!
"We are excited to see the images and plan to continue this approach over the next few weeks."
Video released by Nasa showed the shovel being used to tap the side of the digging implement.
Scientists ran simulations on Earth, establishing how best to hit it without causing damage to delicate equipment.
The "mole" will measure temperatures under the surface of Mars and establish more information about its core, and how the planet formed.
InSight, which stands for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, landed on Mars in November 2018.
It has been sending back weather reports daily, and has recorded seismic activity on the planet. Nasa said it did not believe the "mole" had got stuck because it hit a rock under the surface.
In a statement the space agency said: "Most of the team remains confident that a rock didn't cause the mole to rebound.
"The strategy of 'pinning,' pressing the robotic arm's scoop against the side of the mole...helped the mole progress downward."
