News Unsticking Spirit Efforts to extract the Mars rover from a sandpit will start next week, but success is uncertain By Lisa Grossman November 12, 2009 at 6:59 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print The Mars rover Spirit will finally get moving after sitting wheels-deep in a sand trap for six months. But scientists aren’t sure it can escape. A GOOD SPOT The Mars Spirit rover happened to get stuck in a geologically interesting spot, photographed here by the rover.