Mars Rovers

Goal

The goal of the Mars Exploration Rover Mission was to search for and study a wide range of rocks and soil that could suggest a history of water on Mars.

About MarsAbout Mars

•Dry and cold surface

•May have once had water

•Martian rocks might have signs of water

Two Rovers were Two Rovers were sent:sent:

•Spirit

•Opportunity

Scientific InstrumentsScientific Instruments

CameraCamera

SpectrometersSpectrometers

Grinding toolGrinding tool

Launch

• Spirit was launched on June 10, 2003.

• Opportunity was launched on July 7 2003.

LandingLanding

Spirit landed on Spirit landed on Janurary 4 2004.Janurary 4 2004.

Opportunity Opportunity landed three landed three weeks later.weeks later.

Success!Spirit and Opportunity have

confirmed that there once was standing water on mars.

Current Status

Spirit is currently trapped in a bed of loose soil.

Opportunity is spending sever weeks at Crater Rim.

Paving the Way One of the goals of the Mars Exploration Rover Mission was to pave the way for human exploration of Mars!

Works CitedBanerdt, W. Bruce. "Mars Exploration Rover Mission."

World Book Advanced. World Book, 2011. Web. 21 Jan. 2011.

Courtland, Rachel. "Mars rover to begin risky escape attempt." New Scientist 204.2734 (2009): 8. MAS Ultra - School Edition. EBSCO. Web. 21 Jan. 2011.

"Mars rovers reach fifth anniversary." New Scientist 200.2688 (2009): 19. MAS Ultra - School Edition. EBSCO. Web. 21 Jan. 2011.

Matson, John. "Unfree Spirit: NASA's Mars Rover Appears Stuck for Good." Scientific American 302.4 (2010): 16. MAS Ultra - School Edition. EBSCO. Web. 21 Jan. 2011.