Quick thought on extending the life of the rovers. The biggest problem seems to be dust building up on the solar panels. I've been watching these wonderful pictures like everyone else and I've seen some steep little hills. Now I know this sounds dangerous but can't they upload instructions to the rover for it to drive halfway up a hill and shake? Wouldn't the inclination shake loose most of the dust building up on the soalr panels? I know the rovers have good control of their wheels cause to dig a trench it locks down five and spins a 6th. Maybe NASA will give this a shot when your choices are becoming: lose the rover due to powerloss or take a chance and shake the rover.

I guess the only draw back would be, if there is even the smallest amount of moisture that would cause the soil to stick to the solar cells surface. Also at the top of a crest the winds would probably blow a large quantity off as well.

I think that the dust covering has a curve that will settle after a while. Anyway, I wander why somebody will shoot $840 mil probes and not put a simple blade mechanism for dust cleaning. Maybe it is not so crucial.

Is there any real reason other than dust build up that they think will eventually lower the amount of solar energy that will be captured each day. Is this also when Mars starts to turn colder as well??
Maybe NASA should try to see if they can shake loose the dust build up or to try other methods to see if they can restore some of the charge rate needed to allow for an even longer mission.