Scientists have not yet identified the cause of the malfunction, but after working more than seven times longer than originally planned, degraded lubrication is the natural suspect.

Focus is currently on the motor and electronics that power and control the shoulder component, called the azimuth actuator.

The first diagnostic activity for the arm was performed sol 659, where a very small motion was recorded; more diagnostic activities will be performed to further characterize the shoulder-joint motor problem.

If the anomaly cannot be fixed, "that will be a significant hit to the science of this mission," said John Callas, deputy project manager for the NASA Mars Exploration Rovers project.

Callas said if the anomaly team determines that the problem cannot be fixed, the goal will then be to get the shoulder to move one more time so it ends up in an extended position. That way it would still be able to use the scientific instruments, but with a loss of some flexibility.

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