Posted: Tue, Mar 25, 2008, 8:44 AM ET (1244 GMT)
A budget cut to NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers project could mean that one of the twin rovers could be put in "hibernation" for an extended period, although NASA officials deny that the rover mission is in jeopardy. News reports late Monday quoted project officials, who said that they are looking at various options to deal with a $4-million cut in their operating budget for the remainder of the fiscal year. One option is to put the Spirit rover in an hibernation mode, which would keep it from performing any science. However, NASA officials said Monday night that the rover missions would be kept active, and that shutting down either Spirit or Opportunity "is not an option". NASA officials did not say, though, how the budget cuts would be enacted.

Related Links:

•  SPACE.com article
•  AP article
•  Pasadena Star News article
•  CNN article