Mars Rovers
![[Image of Mars Pathfinder]](/assets/topics/marspathfinder.gif) |
Mars Exploration Rover
Launch Dates:
Spirit
June 10, 2003
Opportunity
July 7, 2003
Landing:
Spirit
January 3, 2004
Gusev Crater
Opportunity
January 24, 2004
Meridiani
Mission Status:
Active, Extended
Pathfinder
Launch Date:
December 4, 1996
Landing:
July 4, 1997
Ares Vallis, Carl Sagan Memorial Station
Mission End:
September 27, 1997
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Mars Pathfinder was launched in 1996 to deliver a lander
and a robotic rover named Sojourner to the
surface of Mars. It deployed a parachute upon entering the atmosphere,
and the impact of the lander was cushioned by airbags that inflated
before the parachute was cut loose and the lander allowed to free-fall
to the surface. The mission collected imagery and data useful in understanding
the Martian atmosphere and geologic composition.
The Mars Exploration Rover mission launched in the summer of 2003.
Rover Spirit landed 3 January 2004, and Rover Opportunity landed 24 January 2004.
Both rovers have been very successful and are have had their missions extended beyond
the initial three month mission plan. See the
NASA Mars Rover website
for up-to-date news, images, and events.
Web Pages with Information About Rover Missions to Mars
Astrogeology Research Program
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2003 Mars Exploration Rover
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Mars Exploration Rovers: Our involvement in the MER 2003 mission payload, scientific investigations, and image processing
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MER Mission Gallery: As part of the involvement of the USGS Astrogeology Research Program in the Mars Exploration Rover
(MER) mission, scientists and staff travel to JPL to take part in the landing and mission activities. Visit our MER gallery
to see photos of our scientists and staff at work during the mission and read the scientists' web log!
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MER 2003 Landing Site Mapping: Learn about Mars Exploration Rover landing site mapping mission support efforts
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Other Web Sites
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