QUESTION:
Can the petals on the Pathfinder be remotely activated from Earth in order
to close up and protect itself and the Sojourner from severe weather?

ANSWER from Greg Wilson on July 4, 1997:
Yes. I think it can.  But once the rover is off the petal, it does not
return.  While this sounds like a good idea, we need the petals down to
collect solar power.  We hope to just sit-out a dust storm.