Mood at the news conference that's going on now is decidedly more upbeat with the lander's "medical" condition being raised from critical to serious. They believe they have a handle on what is wrong (something to do with computer memory) and expressed confidence that they can work around the problem. However, it may take "about 3 weeks" to work it all out. Of particular interest to me was news that they were able to successfully command the computer to shut down. They have not been able to do that since the problem started which meant that the batteries have been discharging much faster than normal. While power from the solar panels will operate the craft during the day, without battery power the heaters will not operate at night subjecting certain critical systems to huge temperature swings which could cause things to physically break. Now that the computer can be shut down again the rover can again recharge batteries by day and temperatures can be maintained at night. Landing of the second MER is set for 10:05 pm MST tonight (Saturday). Patrick