Mars Rover Curiosity Stands Down After New Problem

NASA Mars Curiosity Rover's robotic arm grappled and analyzes a rock sample on the Red Planet for the first time on Saturday, September 22, 2012. This image was taken by the rover's right navigation camera.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — 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.

Top Stories From TPM

Ohio Republicans Push Law To Penalize Colleges For Helping Students Vote

Wow, This is Pretty Epic

Longest-Serving Openly Gay Lawmaker In The U.S. Can Now Marry Her Parter In Minnesota

Eric Holder To Darrell Issa: Your Conduct Is 'Unacceptable' And 'Shameful'

Florida Man Shoots Himself While Bowling

House GOP To Hold Yet Another Obamacare Repeal Vote

Disqus Conversations

Click here to read the Disqus Commenting FAQ.

Editor & Publisher

Josh Marshall

Managing Editor

David Kurtz

Associate Editor

Nick Martin

Assistant Editor

Igor Bobic

Reporters

Brian Beutler

Sahil Kapur

Eric Lach

Hunter Walker

Frontpage Editor

Zoë Schlanger

News Writers

Tom Kludt

Video Editor

Michael Lester

General Manager & General Counsel

Millet Israeli

VP, Ad Sales

Bruce Ellerstein

Associate Publisher

Kyle Leighton

Assistant To The Publisher

Joe Ragazzo

Designer/Developer

Matthew Wozniak

Design Associate

Christopher O’Driscoll