Hello,
I was lurking at eon4 since last May. Now with some free time and a new isp, I plan to participate here. I have some background in speleology and caving, and I have already posted another message with some thoughts on the cave. (I think that it is possible that the cave is a lava tube cave. Lava tubes usually have smooth walls. Of course, it could also be constructed, if someone had been there to construct it!)
I also work for the DEC that produces the "DEC alpha" that I read has been used in the probes. I'm glad that the designers chose the fastest and most reliable chip there is! Perhaps I can help if anyone has questions about the "DEC alpha".
Finally, should we divide into teams, where each team concentrates on one of the probes? Each team should have a team leader who is responsible for communications with the probe afer the team decides what the probe should do and how to convince the probe to do it.
DrRich.