Astropedia
Lunar and Planetary Cartographic Catalog

Mars Exploration Rovers - Spirit and Opportunity

The USGS MER team (from left):  Bonnie Redding (Payload Downlink Lead), Janet Richie (Payload Downlink Lead), Lauren Edgar (Payload Uplink Lead), Paul Geissler (Payload Uplink Lead) and Ken Herkenhoff (Payload Element Lead).
The USGS MER team (from left): Bonnie Redding (Payload Downlink Lead), Janet Richie (Payload Downlink Lead), Lauren Edgar (Payload Uplink Lead), Paul Geissler (Payload Uplink Lead) and Ken Herkenhoff (Payload Element Lead).
MER operations room at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center
MER operations room at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center
Waiting for Spirit to Land!
Waiting for Spirit to Land!
Computer Scientist Kris Becker works on mission ops.
Computer Scientist Kris Becker works on mission ops.
USGS scientist and investigator for Mars Exploration Rover, Ken Herkenhoff
USGS scientist and investigator for Mars Exploration Rover, Ken Herkenhoff
Bob Sucharski celebrates Spirit Landing!
Bob Sucharski celebrates Spirit Landing!
MER Payload Uplink Leads
MER Payload Uplink Leads

A number of USGS scientists and specialists have worked with NASA on the planning, day-to-day operation and image processing for Spirit and Opportunity on the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Project. Astrogeology scientist, Ken Herkenhoff and Scientist Emeritus Larry Soderblom, are MER Co-Investigators. Ken Herkenhoff was also the Payload Element Lead (PEL) for the Microscopic Imager.

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 rover missions have greatly contributed to scientific studies of Mars. Missions of both rovers were extended beyond the initial three month mission plan. Spirit's mission officially ended 25 May 2011, but the USGS continues to use images taken during its time on Mars. Opportunity's mission continues, assisting in more great science!