NASA launched a new Mars rover on June 10, 2003. This rover was named Spirit and will reach Mars on January 3(EST), 2004. Another identical Mars rover was launched on July 7, 2003 and will reach Mars on January 24 (EST), 2004 and was named Opportunity. Do you remember the great pictures we got to look at during the Mars Pathfinder mission and the little rover Sojourner? It looks like we are in for an even greater treat when these two rovers land on Mars in January 2004. We'll hopefully get a late Christmas present. Each rover weighs about 380 pounds while Sojourner only weighed 23 pounds. Lookout Mars, here come Sojourner's big brothers! These two rovers will land the same way Sojourner did: parachutes and rockets will slow their decent and seconds before touchdown protective airbags will inflate around each of them so they will be cushioned and can bounce to a soft landing. These two rovers will be able to travel a much greater distance then Sojourner could. NASA figures they are doubling their chances of a successful mission by sending two rovers. Spirit will land in Gusev Crater, which may have been a lake long ago in the past. A channel empties into Gusev Crater and looks like a dried up lake bed. Opportunity will land on Mars in a place called Meridiani Planum, which is rich in a mineral called hematite which could be an indication that water was once present.
Mars Exploration Rover Mission - This link will take you to NASA's homepage for the Mars twin rovers.
Mars Twin Rover Picture - Click here if you would like to see a picture of the Mars twin rover with all its parts and instruments labeled.
The Mars twin rover Spirit landed on Mars on January 3, 2004 at 11:35 p.m.(EST) while the Mars twin rover Opportunity landed on Mars on January 25, 2004 at 12:05 a.m.(EST). The countdowns listed below tells how many days each of the rovers have been on Mars.
days since Spirit arrived at Mars.
days since Opportunity arrived at Mars.
Pictures From Mars! - The Mars twin rover Spirit has successfully landed on Mars in Gusev crater. Click on this link to see pictures it has sent back.
Opportunity Has Landed! - Click on this link to see some of the pictures that Opportunity has sent back to Earth.