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The Mars Exploration Rovers: and

www..gov The Mission Spirit found and rocks with extremely high con- packed the inside a and shell centrations of materials that typically form in either hot attached to a cruise stage. Upon arrival, with the Spirit and Opportunity are identical twin robotic rov- springs or volcanic steam vents. These conditions may ’s velocity still increasing from the pull of ers that have gone far beyond their original scientific have been favorable for supporting microbial life. On Mars’ , the entry capsule jettisoned the cruise objectives to rewrite our understanding of the early his- Earth, microbes known as “” thrive in stage. A large supersonic parachute inflated in the tory of Mars. NASA sent these two “robotic geologists” similar environments. thin to slow the lander. Near the on a 90- mission to search for geological clues ground, solid motors fired to reduce landing regarding environmental conditions on early Mars, and Opportunity found that more chemically neutral, “drink- speed further. inflated around the lander to assess whether those environments were conducive to able” once persisted on Mars before an acidic cushion the impact, and the lander bounced and rolled life. The mission team chose two landing sites, period in the ancient past, thus creating more favorable to a stop on Mars. Once the airbags deflated, the Crater and , for the likelihood that conditions for microbial life. The rovers’ discoveries lander’s “petals” opened, revealing the rover ready to liquid water, a prerequisite for life, was once present made a huge leap forward in expanding the possibility raise its “head,” stand up, and roll off for its adventures there. that Mars once provided habitable conditions. on Mars. Each rover far outlasted its design lifetime. Spirit Following the trail of past , the rovers launched June 10, 2003, and landed in Gusev Crater successfully allowed scientists to characterize much of on , 2004. Opportunity launched July 7, what the was like when liquid water flowed The Mars Exploration Rover mission is part of NASA’s Mars 2003, and landed in Meridiani Planum on January 25, there. Exploration Program, a long-term, multi-mission effort to un- 2004. Opportunity continues to operate in its tenth derstand Mars as a potential place for past or present life (its Tools . Spirit’s final communication to Earth occurred on habitability), to seek signs of life, and to prepare for human exploration. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the March 22, 2010, about six into its mission. The Each rover carries a science payload consisting of a California Institute of Technology, manages the mission on be- rover lasted 20 times longer than its original design. Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer and Pan- half of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. oramic Camera at the top of a rotatable mast (the During their journeys of exploration, Spirit and Oppor- rover’s “neck”) to survey the surrounding terrain. A tunity outperformed even the optimistic expecta- Other NASA Center partners include , robotic arm helps scientists examine rocks and soils, tions of their builders. For scientists studying Mars, the , , and Ken- by using contact instruments (Alpha Particle -Ray robotic rovers proved to be the next best thing to actu- nedy Space Center. Science payload partners include Cornell Spectrometer, Mössbauer Spectrometer, and a Micro- ally being there with tools in hand. The ten- University, State University, Max Planck Institut für scopic Imager) and a Abrasion Tool. Engineer- year record of discoveries compiled during the mission Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg University, , ing sensors and other components are also useful for has helped scientists reconstruct a past when Mars Honeybee , and the U.S. Geological Survey. science investigations and for navigation and mobility. was awash in water, which may have created environ- These include navigation cameras, front and More Information ments favorable for microbial life. rear stereo hazard avoidance cameras, wheel motors, marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov Scientific Findings wheel motor current and voltage data for measuring ground properties, the wheels themselves for digging, The mission took one of the first steps in understand- gyros, for describing terrain contours, ing the possibilities for : whether the and solar cell readings for measuring how much is An artist’s concept of one of the Mars Martian environment ever could have supported life. in the atmosphere or deposited on the rover. Exploration Rovers on the surface of Analysis of rocks and in several of the locales ex- Mars. plored by the rovers shows changes in the rock record Spacecraft Design that could only occur from persistent soaking in water. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell Each spacecraft contained a rover tucked inside a lander. For the trip from Earth to Mars, engineers

JPL 400-1548A 12/13 Spirit: Ascent of

www.nasa.gov The Mars Exploration Rover Mission brought a fascinating new landscape into view and struggled up toward a ridgeline on Husband Hill, they completely different geologic conditions to explore. churned up bright material. This unexpected discovery Spirit and Opportunity are identical twin robotic rov- For the first time in its mission, Spirit found evidence was good fortune for Spirit: the rover determined that ers that have gone far beyond their original scientific of past water. As the rover gained altitude, more and the salty material had water molecules bound to the objectives to rewrite our understanding of the early his- more signs of a wet past became apparent. From the . That provided clear signs of its formation or tory of Mars. NASA sent these two “robotic geologists” composition and texture of more than six different alteration in past water. on a 90-day mission to search for geological clues types of rock inspected, scientists determined that this regarding environmental conditions on early Mars, and A View to the Future area was once a hot, violent place with volcanic explo- assess whether those environments were conducive to sions and impacts. Extensive water in the form of hot Carrying on after its rewarding climb to the hilltop, life. The mission team chose two landing sites, Gusev springs or other water features left its mark on debris Spirit returned images of the southern vista from the Crater and Meridiani Planum, for the likelihood that throughout the area. One of the rock types contained top of Husband Hill. The team used these views to liquid water, a prerequisite for life, was once present the , which only forms in the presence plot Spirit’s next leg of travel. Mission planners and there. of water. Thus, finding it represented the first direct evi- scientists selected an alluring feature in the distance Each rover far outlasted its design lifetime. Spirit dence of past water in the . that would bring a scientific bonanza, and come to be launched June 10, 2003, and landed in Gusev Cra- known as . ter on January 4, 2004. Opportunity launched July 7, 2003, and landed in Meridiani Planum on January 25, 2004. Opportunity continues to operate in its tenth The Mars Exploration Rover mission is part of NASA’s Mars year. Spirit’s final communication to Earth occurred on Exploration Program, a long-term, multi-mission effort to un- March 22, 2010, about six years into its mission. The derstand Mars as a potential place for past or present life (its rover lasted 20 times longer than its original design. habitability), to seek signs of life, and to prepare for human exploration. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the Columbia Hills or Bust California Institute of Technology, manages the mission on be- When Spirit landed on a rock-strewn , faraway half of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. hills beckoned from about 1.6 miles (2.6 kilometers) Other NASA Center partners include Ames Research Center, away. Impossible to reach in the originally planned Langley Research Center, Glenn Research Center, and Ken- 90 sols (Martian days), Spirit trekked for six months nedy Space Center. Science payload partners include Cornell to reach them, becoming the first mountain-climbing University, , Max Planck Institut für on another planet. Spirit scaled the nearest of Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg University, Niels Bohr Institute, the seven Columbia Hills, named for each member of , and the U.S. Geological Survey. the lost crew of Columbia. Husband Hill, honoring Commander , stands 348 feet More Information (106 meters) higher than the site where Spirit landed marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov 20 months prior. The rover’s months-long trek through Investigations of the rock dubbed “Clovis” revealed the mineral different layers of hilly terrain richly rewarded us with goethite, pointing to a watery past in Gusev Crater. new discoveries, as each layer contained clues to past Weary Traveler Seeks Water environmental conditions on Mars. 1. Spirit looks past Cumberland Ridge Long after completing its primary 90-day mission, 1 Hot Springs and Violent Volcanoes toward the summit of Husband Hill. NASA’s Spirit rover began showing slight twinges of 2. Spirit’s view from the top of While volcanic rocks covered the plain Spirit crossed wear in its mobility system from its roving and hill- 2 Husband Hill. on its way to the hill, the ascent of Husband Hill climbing experience. As Spirit dug in its wheels as it Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell

JPL 400-1548B 12/13 Spirit: Comanche Outcrop

www.nasa.gov The Mars Exploration Rover Mission solve in acid, so their continued presence indicates Navigation Cameras that the neutral environment persisted. The long-ago Mini-Thermal Emission Spirit and Opportunity are identical twin robotic rov- Panoramic Spectrometer (At Rear) wet environment that left this mineral evidence would Cameras ers that have gone far beyond their original scientific have been more favorable for microbial life than harsh- Ultra-High- Low-Gain Antenna objectives to rewrite our understanding of the early his- Frequency ly acidic conditions seen elsewhere on Mars by Spirit Antenna tory of Mars. NASA sent these two “robotic geologists” Solar Arrays Calibration Target and Opportunity. on a 90-day mission to search for geological clues High-Gain Antenna regarding environmental conditions on early Mars, and Hints of a Warmer World assess whether those environments were conducive to The Comanche rocks speak not just to past conditions Magnet Array life. The mission team chose two landing sites, Gusev (Forward) on and beneath the surface, but also help describe Crater and Meridiani Planum, for the likelihood that how the ancient martian climate differed from today’s. liquid water, a prerequisite for life, was once present Alpha Particle X-ray The found at Comanche hint that a thicker Spectrometer there. Microscopic dioxide atmosphere may have blanketed Mars Imager Mössbauer Spectrometer Each rover far outlasted its design lifetime. Spirit in the distant past. rocks often form when Rocker-Bogie Mobility System launched June 10, 2003, and landed in Gusev Cra- volcanic minerals and water interact with carbon diox- Front (2) and Rear (2) Hazard Avoidance Cameras (Not Shown) ter on January 4, 2004. Opportunity launched July 7, ide in an atmosphere. For example, when the volcanic 2003, and landed in Meridiani Planum on January 25, mineral reacts with water and , 2004. Opportunity continues to operate in its tenth the original rock becomes a carbonate. This process The Mars Exploration Rover mission is part of NASA’s Mars year. Spirit’s final communication to Earth occurred on “captures” carbon dioxide found in an atmosphere and Exploration Program, a long-term, multi-mission effort to un- March 22, 2010, about six years into its mission. The “locks” it in rocks. derstand Mars as a potential place for past or present life (its rover lasted 20 times longer than its original design. habitability), to seek signs of life, and to prepare for human The abundance of carbonate rocks at Comanche indi- exploration. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the Comanche Points to Past Water cates a time when carbon dioxide saturated the mar- California Institute of Technology, manages the mission on be- tian atmosphere and interacted with volcanic minerals. In 2005, Spirit traveled from the highest peak of the half of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. Due to the familiar greenhouse effect, a thicker past Columbia Hills to a flat spot below called Home Plate. atmosphere means that Mars also would have been Other NASA Center partners include Ames Research Center, On the way, it passed an interesting outcrop of rocks warmer than today’s Martian climes. Warmer tem- Langley Research Center, Glenn Research Center, and Ken- called Comanche. The rover recorded data and images peratures, in combination with water, could have cre- nedy Space Center. Science payload partners include Cornell of Comanche, but dust partially blinded one instru- ated a more hospitable world for microbial life. University, Arizona State University, Max Planck Institut für ment, causing it to return obscured views. Five years Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg University, Niels Bohr Institute, later, however, with the data corrected for the effects of Spirit’s findings at Comanche are considered crucial to Honeybee Robotics, and the U.S. Geological Survey. the dust, Spirit provided the first evidence that neutral, understanding the early climate history of Mars and the potentially life-sustaining water had once flowed on related question of whether the planet might once have More Information Mars. held life. marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov

Scientists found that the rocks at Comanche contained On the other side of Mars from Spirit’s home at Gusev abundant carbonate minerals, ten times higher than Crater, Opportunity discovered ample evidence for Spirit’s false-color view of the previously identified in any Martian rock. alteration of rocks by water in Meridiani Planum. How- Comanche outcrop at Gusev Crater. and carbonate-rich rocks seen there likely resulted ever, the water at Meridiani was strongly acidic and from a hot springs system in near-neutral pH condi- less favorable as a potential habitat for microbial life. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell tions. Carbonates originate in wet conditions, but dis-

JPL 400-1548C 12/13 Spirit: Home Plate

www.nasa.gov The Mars Exploration Rover Mission Spirit arrived at Home Plate in February 2006 and when its wheels broke through a crusty surface and spent several months exploring it in detail before driv- churned into soft sand hidden underneath. The rover Spirit and Opportunity are identical twin robotic rov- ing to Low Ridge to pass winter. The rover became stuck. In late 2009, after months of trying ers that have gone far beyond their original scientific returned to Home Plate in the spring to continue ex- to free the sand-trapped rover, a second wheel quit objectives to rewrite our understanding of the early his- ploring this scientifically rich location. working. tory of Mars. NASA sent these two “robotic geologists” on a 90-day mission to search for geological clues With Spirit’s roving days at end, NASA declared it a regarding environmental conditions on early Mars, and stationary vehicle in January, 2010. Tools on Spirit’s ro- assess whether those environments were conducive to botic arm began studying variations in the composition life. The mission team chose two landing sites, Gusev of nearby soil affected by water. The rover monitored Crater and Meridiani Planum, for the likelihood that how moves soil particles and measured changes liquid water, a prerequisite for life, was once present in the Martian atmosphere. Spirit transmitted its last there. communications to Earth on March 22, 2010. Its mis- sion ended, but Spirit lives on in the historic discover- Each rover far outlasted its design lifetime. Spirit ies it contributed to finding both direct and indirect launched June 10, 2003, and landed in Gusev Cra- evidence of water and chemically neutral conditions ter on January 4, 2004. Opportunity launched July 7, that may have been suitable for microbial life. 2003, and landed in Meridiani Planum on January 25, 2004. Opportunity continues to operate in its tenth year. Spirit’s final communication to Earth occurred on The Mars Exploration Rover mission is part of NASA’s Mars March 22, 2010, about six years into its mission. The Exploration Program, a long-term, multi-mission effort to un- rover lasted 20 times longer than its original design. derstand Mars as a potential place for past or present life (its A Grand Slam at Home Plate habitability), to seek signs of life, and to prepare for human Plowing New Ground exploration. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the Spirit’s findings at Home Plate painted a picture of a For the rover’s science team, a broken right-front California Institute of Technology, manages the mission on be- dramatically different world than the cold, dry Mars wheel plowed new furrows of discovery. Near Home half of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. of today. Home Plate is a plateau of layered bedrock Plate, engineers directed Spirit to drive backward, approximately 6 feet (2 meters) high. It lies within the Other NASA Center partners include Ames Research Center, dragging its frozen right front wheel. This ailment made Inner Basin of the Columbia Hills, at the rover’s landing Langley Research Center, Glenn Research Center, and Ken- for slower progress, but turned out to be worth the de- site in Gusev Crater. The bedrock yielded the mission’s nedy Space Center. Science payload partners include Cornell lay. The wheel unearthed white deposits of nearly pure first definite identification of deposits from explosive University, Arizona State University, Max Planck Institut für silica (pictured above) of a type that almost always volcanic action. Indications are that hot rock Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg University, Niels Bohr Institute, forms near hot, acidic steam vents or in hot springs. and briny water interacted here to create spectacular, Honeybee Robotics, and the U.S. Geological Survey. On Earth, both of these types of settings teem with mi- landscape-changing explosions. crobial life. The discovery suggests that ancient condi- More Information One of the strongest pieces of evidence for an explo- tions on Mars could have been habitable as well. marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov sive origin for Home Plate is a “bomb sag” preserved A Permanent Home in layered rocks on the lower slopes of the plateau. On Earth, bomb sags form in volcanic explosions when Spirit spent most of the rest of its operational life in Spirit’s wheel tracks bright rocks ejected skyward by the explosion fall into soft and near the scientifically rich area of Home Plate. underlying material at Home Plate. deposits, deforming them as they . In its fifth year of operation, Spirit was driving Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell beside the western edge of the Home Plate plateau

JPL 400-1548D 12/13 Opportunity: Eagle Crater

www.nasa.gov The Mars Exploration Rover Mission A Blueberry Banquet

Spirit and Opportunity are identical twin robotic rov- The rover thoroughly investigated a rock outcrop in the ers that have gone far beyond their original scientific crater and found that liquid water soaked the area long objectives to rewrite our understanding of the early his- ago. The outcrop was high in minerals likely formed tory of Mars. NASA sent these two “robotic geologists” in water. Opportunity found blueberry-shaped con- on a 90-day mission to search for geological clues cretions of (pictured below), which are also regarding environmental conditions on early Mars, and blue-hued in . The rock outcrop contained assess whether those environments were conducive to , a mineral that can only result from rock ex- life. The mission team chose two landing sites, Gusev posed to acidic water. The “blueberries,” jarosite, and ing its -cushioned landing. , as the Crater and Meridiani Planum, for the likelihood that other abundant chemical and geological clues in the team called it, was lofted to its present location after liquid water, a prerequisite for life, was once present area pointed scientists to the conclusion that Eagle an impact somewhere else on Mars. Bounce Rock’s there. Crater once held a salty and acidic near-surface and composition matches that of a distinctive group of subsurface body of water. Martian that periodically land on Earth. The Each rover far outlasted its design lifetime. Spirit discovery provided new context about one potential launched June 10, 2003, and landed in Gusev Cra- region on Mars from which the Martian meteorites ter on January 4, 2004. Opportunity launched July 7, could have originated. 2003, and landed in Meridiani Planum on January 25, 2004. Opportunity continues to operate in its tenth year. Spirit’s final communication to Earth occurred on The Mars Exploration Rover mission is part of NASA’s Mars March 22, 2010, about six years into its mission. The Exploration Program, a long-term, multi-mission effort to un- rover lasted 20 times longer than its original design. derstand Mars as a potential place for past or present life (its habitability), to seek signs of life, and to prepare for human Answers About Water exploration. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the Before Spirit and Opportunity launched and landed on California Institute of Technology, manages the mission on be- Mars, the orbiter identified con- half of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. centrations of hematite in the of Meridiani (Me- Other NASA Center partners include Ames Research Center, ridiani Planum). The mineral hematite often forms in a Departing Eagle Crater, Opportunity found similar wa- Langley Research Center, Glenn Research Center, and Ken- watery environment. Based on this and other geologi- ter signs in other rocks, at a linear fracture informally nedy Space Center. Science payload partners include Cornell cally intriguing features, NASA chose Meridiani Planum called Anatolia and in a crater called . The rover University, Arizona State University, Max Planck Institut für as Opportunity’s landing site. Scientists hoped that found hematite blueberries not just inside Eagle Crater, Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg University, Niels Bohr Institute, but covering the landscape and the plains all around. following the trail of hematite in this area would lead to Honeybee Robotics, and the U.S. Geological Survey. evidence of past water on Mars, and it did. Past, per- These discoveries enlarged the minimum area covered sistent water is necessary for life as we know it. by the body of water that deposited these rocks long More Information ago. marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov Opportunity’s landing is often referred to as a “hole- in-one” because the spacecraft unexpectedly came Stumbling Across a to rest inside a small indentation called Eagle Crater, 1. Opportunity departs Eagle Crater. An unexpected opportunity not directly related to the 1 which would quickly reveal secrets of a wet past. Dis- 2. Investigating “blueberries” in rock search for water presented itself to the aptly named coveries about water dominated the whole period of outcrop near landing site. rover. Coincidentally, Opportunity bounced on an odd, 2 3 Opportunity’s three-month-long original mission. 3. “Blueberries” in false color. football- (pictured above, right) dur- Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell

JPL 400-1548E 12/13 Opportunity: Crater

www.nasa.gov The Mars Exploration Rover Mission The six months that Opportunity spent studying rock Near the bottom of Endurance Crater, Opportunity in- layers in Endurance rewrote our understanding of the vestigated the textures of broken rock spheres with dif- Spirit and Opportunity are identical twin robotic rov- history of water at Meridiani Planum. As Opportunity ferent surface characteristics than “blueberries” found ers that have gone far beyond their original scientific carefully crept some 30 feet (10 meters) into the cra- elsewhere on Meridiani Planum. These showed signs objectives to rewrite our understanding of the early his- ter, the distinct rock layers it studied (pictured below) of having sat in water that ponded in the crater. tory of Mars. NASA sent these two “robotic geologists” showed subtle variations in chemistry, texture, and on a 90-day mission to search for geological clues While exploring Endurance Crater, even the outer sur- color that suggested the past presence of water. regarding environmental conditions on early Mars, and faces of the rover helped provide new information on assess whether those environments were conducive to the Martian atmospheric environment. The science life. The mission team chose two landing sites, Gusev and engineering teams documented the presence of Crater and Meridiani Planum, for the likelihood that morning frost on the rover deck. Scientists gleaned liquid water, a prerequisite for life, was once present characteristics of local from the effects they had there. in cleaning dust off the rover. The rover’s cameras also observed water- in the mid-winter sky. Each rover far outlasted its design lifetime. Spirit launched June 10, 2003, and landed in Gusev Cra- Understanding how water contributed to the environ- ter on January 4, 2004. Opportunity launched July 7, ment on Mars is the first step in determining whether 2003, and landed in Meridiani Planum on January 25, the could ever have supported life. 2004. Opportunity continues to operate in its tenth year. Spirit’s final communication to Earth occurred on March 22, 2010, about six years into its mission. The The Mars Exploration Rover mission is part of NASA’s lasted 20 times longer than its original design. Exploration Program, a long-term, multi-mission effort to un- derstand Mars as a potential place for past or present life (its Endurance habitability), to seek signs of life, and to prepare for human exploration. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the In June of 2004, working overtime after its three- month-long primary mission ended, Opportunity began California Institute of Technology, manages the mission on be- carefully inching into a stadium-size half of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. Opportunity studied rocks whose weathered surfaces called Endurance. had been ground away by the rover’s rock abrasion Other NASA Center partners include Ames Research Center, The mission team did not make the decision to send tool (RAT). The deeper the rover went, the richer the Langley Research Center, Glenn Research Center, and Ken- Opportunity into Endurance lightly. The crater had crater’s rocks were in the elements , and nedy Space Center. Science payload partners include Cornell steep slopes and clearly posed a potential sand trap . Analysis showed these and other minerals University, Arizona State University, Max Planck Institut für from which the rover might never emerge. However, settled to the bottom of a salty body of water to form Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg University, Niels Bohr Institute, the team decided that ancient, exposed layers of “rock ” deposits similar to those seen in salt flats in Honeybee Robotics, and the U.S. Geological Survey. rock inside the crater held great potential for scientific regions on Earth. More Information discovery. The chance to study Mars’ buried past far A portion of the crater wall measuring 33 feet (10 me- marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov outweighed the risk of the rover remaining inside En- ters) high contained many rock layers, some deposited durance Crater forever. Each rock layer in the crater by water and some by wind. The rover science team wall held a record of the environmental conditions in 1. Opportunity views Endurance named this area Burns Cliff in honor of a geologist who 1 which it formed. The farther down in the crater the Crater. predicted the discovery of jarosite on Mars. Findings layer occurred, the earlier the time period in which it 2 2. Opportunity explores Burns Cliff in here indicate that a salty was sometimes present Endurance Crater. formed. and sometimes not when the rocks formed. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell

JPL 400-1548F 12/13 Opportunity: Crater

www.nasa.gov The Mars Exploration Rover Mission the impact that created the crater blasted them to the right) to help conserve the rover’s mobility. Concern surface from underground layers. Based on that find- also mounted over a degraded shoulder motor, so rov- Spirit and Opportunity are identical twin robotic rov- ing, researchers hypothesize that water once soaked a er engineers stopped folding and stowing the robotic ers that have gone far beyond their original scientific layer buried beneath the surface long enough to form arm after use. This conservative strategy means that objectives to rewrite our understanding of the early his- the spherule subsequently blasted out by the rover now travels with its arm extended, usable for tory of Mars. NASA sent these two “robotic geologists” the impact. The rover also discovered that a group of close-up studies of martian rocks for years to come. on a 90-day mission to search for geological clues small rocks in the Victoria Crater rim turned out to be regarding environmental conditions on early Mars, and meteorites, possibly related to the impact that formed assess whether those environments were conducive to the crater. The of a cliff on the crater rim infor- life. The mission team chose two landing sites, Gusev mally called also laid bare a stack of rock Crater and Meridiani Planum, for the likelihood that layers 20 feet (6 meters) tall. Opportunity’s studies liquid water, a prerequisite for life, was once present there suggest that wind deposited the sediments and there. that altered them later. Each rover far outlasted its design lifetime. Spirit launched June 10, 2003, and landed in Gusev Cra- ter on January 4, 2004. Opportunity launched July 7, 2003, and landed in Meridiani Planum on January 25, 2004. Opportunity continues to operate in its tenth year. Spirit’s final communication to Earth occurred on March 22, 2010, about six years into its mission. The The Mars Exploration Rover mission is part of NASA’s Mars rover lasted 20 times longer than its original design. Exploration Program, a long-term, multi-mission effort to un- derstand Mars as a potential place for past or present life (its Aging Hardware habitability), to seek signs of life, and to prepare for human exploration. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the With joints in its arm and wheels showing signs of age, Opportunity’s studies as it rolled into the crater es- California Institute of Technology, manages the mission on be- Opportunity gamely pressed on in its fourth year of op- tablished a rough history of Victoria’s past. A jumble half of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. eration on Mars to deliver fresh and intriguing scientific of ejected blocks 3 feet (one meter) or more in size results inside Victoria Crater, about 4.5 miles (7 kilo- dominates the crater’s top layer (pictured above).The Other NASA Center partners include Ames Research Center, meters) from the landing site. Opportunity explored the impact excavated and fractured a zone of bedrock. Langley Research Center, Glenn Research Center, and Ken- half-mile-wide (800-meter-wide) crater for two Earth Below that, intact bedrock is exposed, with its surface nedy Space Center. Science payload partners include Cornell years, the length of one Martian year, from September shaped by eons of wind. Scientists even deduced University, Arizona State University, Max Planck Institut für 2007 through August 2008. the northward-blowing direction of ancient prevailing Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg University, Niels Bohr Institute, winds from sand-blasted variations in the rock bedding Honeybee Robotics, and the U.S. Geological Survey. After a year of scouting from the rim, engineers identi- structures of the cliffs. fied a drivable path down the slope. Opportunity de- More Information scended into Victoria Crater on September 11, 2007. The rover also found subtle signs of past water in the marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov The rover felt its way down, using contact instruments crater layers. Opportunity studied a continuous set of on its robotic arm to inspect the composition and tex- rock layers that are exposed all the way around Victo- tures of accessible rock layers. ria Crater like a bathtub ring. 1 1. Opportunity views Victoria Crater. 2. False-color image of Duck Bay in Around the rim of Victoria Crater, the rover found To climb out of Victoria Crater, concerned rover en- 2 Victoria Crater, showing a bright band large and abundant numbers of hematite spherules gineers directed Opportunity to leave via the same, of bedrock surrounding the crater. most likely formed in water. Scientists believe that known path by which it had entered (pictured above, Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell

JPL 400-1548G 12/13 Opportunity: Crater/

www.nasa.gov The Mars Exploration Rover Mission the planet, possibly splashing down violently in bod- below) “newberries.” Like “blueberries,” they probably ies of water. Geologists sought rocks that formed in formed in water, but have a different composition and Spirit and Opportunity are identical twin robotic rov- the to see if water on Mars persisted long internal structure. It is also conceivable they formed in ers that have gone far beyond their original scientific enough to sustain life. At Endeavour, they found what volcanic, impact, or other processes. Scientists contin- objectives to rewrite our understanding of the early his- they were seeking. ue to study the elusive “newberries” to deduce the part tory of Mars. NASA sent these two “robotic geologists” of the story they tell about past Martian environments. on a 90-day mission to search for geological clues One objective in sending Opportunity to faraway regarding environmental conditions on early Mars, and Endeavour Crater was to follow up on the Mars Re- Concluding its historic reconnaissance of Cape York, assess whether those environments were conducive to connaissance Orbiter’s detection of smectite, a clay Opportunity neared its tenth anniversary on Mars and life. The mission team chose two landing sites, Gusev mineral that typically forms in neutral water. Neutral headed to a north-facing slope called Crater and Meridiani Planum, for the likelihood that water, plentiful on Earth, is more supportive of life than on Endeavour’s western rim. The mission team chose liquid water, a prerequisite for life, was once present the ancient, acidic watery environment of which the the spot as a way station where the solar-powered there. rovers had found ample evidence elsewhere on Mars. rover could tilt its panels toward the , gathering enough to continue its work during the Martian Each rover far outlasted its design lifetime. Spirit The exposed rock in the crater walls of Endeavour southern hemisphere winter. launched June 10, 2003, and landed in Gusev Cra- yielded smectite and other clays that showed an an- ter on January 4, 2004. Opportunity launched July 7, cient, wet, non-acidic environment once existed. 2003, and landed in Meridiani Planum on January 25, Opportunity’s exploration of Endeavour turned up The Mars Exploration Rover mission is part of NASA’s Mars 2004. Opportunity continues to operate in its tenth other geological treasures that are among the most in- Exploration Program, a long-term, multi-mission effort to un- year. Spirit’s final communication to Earth occurred on triguing of the whole mission. At Cape York’s Matijevic derstand Mars as a potential place for past or present life (its March 22, 2010, about six years into its mission. The Hill, the rover found a strange, densely packed trove habitability), to seek signs of life, and to prepare for human rover lasted 20 times longer than its original design. of small spheres similar to, but different from, the iron- exploration. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the Surviving longer and traveling farther than ever imag- rich spherules called “blueberries” at the rover’s land- California Institute of Technology, manages the mission on be- ined, Mars rover Opportunity drove across the Plains ing site. Scientists called the BB-size spheres (pictured half of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. of Meridiani to successively larger craters to find the Other NASA Center partners include Ames Research Center, deeper, older layers holding clues to the early environ- Langley Research Center, Glenn Research Center, and Ken- mental history of Mars. In its ninth year, after a miles- nedy Space Center. Science payload partners include Cornell long trek, Opportunity arrived at the rim of Endeavour University, Arizona State University, Max Planck Institut für Crater. At 14 miles (22 kilometers) wide, it is the big- Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg University, Niels Bohr Institute, gest and oldest crater yet explored. Opportunity’s Honeybee Robotics, and the U.S. Geological Survey. findings within the crater walls of Endeavour drew scientists to a pivotal conclusion with significance far More Information beyond the mission’s original objectives. At a segment marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov of the crater’s rim called Cape York, the rover found evidence that, for a time early in Mars’ history, an 1. False-color view of Haven. abundance of neutral pH, drinkable water likely flowed 1 here, creating conditions that would have been friendly 2. False-color view of afternoon shadows at Endeavour Crater. to life. 2 3 4 3. False-color view of Homestake, a Cape York held geological relics from an era of global mineral near Cape York. flooding called the Noachian Period, the oldest geo- 4. False-color view of Solander Point. logical era on Mars. Back then, meteorites bombarded Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell

JPL 400-1548H 12/13 Spirit and Opportunity: Meteorites

www.nasa.gov The Mars Exploration Rover Mission to meteorites found on Earth, which become worn down by and moisture. Spirit and Opportunity are identical twin robotic rov- ers that have gone far beyond their original scientific — Opportunity found the first me- objectives to rewrite our understanding of the early his- teorite ever identified on another planet. This pitted, tory of Mars. NASA sent these two “robotic geologists” mostly iron and rock is about the size of a bas- on a 90-day mission to search for geological clues ketball. Only a small fraction of the meteorites found regarding environmental conditions on early Mars, and on Earth are similarly -rich. assess whether those environments were conducive to Zhong Shan and Allan Hills — Spirit found two poten- life. The mission team chose two landing sites, Gusev tial iron meteorites amid hilly, sandy terrain in Gusev Crater and Meridiani Planum, for the likelihood that Crater. Their informal names are in keeping with the liquid water, a prerequisite for life, was once present science team’s campaign to nickname rocks and soils there. in the area after locations in . Zhong Shang Each rover far outlasted its design lifetime. Spirit is an Antarctic base honoring the 20th-century Chinese launched June 10, 2003, and landed in Gusev Cra- leader Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Allan Hills is an Antarctic locale ter on January 4, 2004. Opportunity launched July 7, where scientists have found many Martian meteorites. 2003, and landed in Meridiani Planum on January 25, Among them is the controversial ALH84001, which 2004. Opportunity continues to operate in its tenth achieved fame in 1996 when NASA scientists suggest- year. Spirit’s final communication to Earth occurred on ed that it might contain evidence for microbial life. The Mars Exploration Rover mission is part of NASA’s Mars March 22, 2010, about six years into its mission. The Exploration Program, a long-term, multi-mission effort to un- Barberton — The second meteorite Opportunity found rover lasted 20 times longer than its original design. derstand Mars as a potential place for past or present life (its is a raisin-size at the rim of Endurance Crater. habitability), to seek signs of life, and to prepare for human Space Rocks This little specimen is olivine-rich and contains iron in exploration. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the the form of , commonly found in metallic me- Overachieving rock hounds, Spirit and Opportunity California Institute of Technology, manages the mission on be- teorites. surprised their science team with the gift of meteorites half of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. they discovered on the surface of Mars. Meteorites Santa Catarina — This fist-size cobble is the third pos- Other NASA Center partners include Ames Research Center, are the leftover bits of the original material that drew sible meteorite found by the rover team. Opportunity Langley Research Center, Glenn Research Center, and Ken- together to make the . Their primitive charac- found the fractured rock in the rim of Victoria Crater. It teristics are windows to the conditions and events that has a high nickel content like many metal meteorites. nedy Space Center. Science payload partners include Cornell took place when the planets formed about 4.5 billion It may be part of the impactor that blasted out Victoria University, Arizona State University, Max Planck Institut für years ago. Crater. Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg University, Niels Bohr Institute, Honeybee Robotics, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Previously, scientists had examples of impactors on Oileán Ruaidh — Pronounced “ay-lan ruah” in Gaelic, Earth and two found on the . Spirit’s and Op- Opportunity’s fourth meteorite is informally named for More Information portunity’s finds are the first space rocks ever found on an island off the coast of northwestern Ireland. It is a marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov another planet. dark, toaster-size iron specimen with rounded edges.

Compared to Earth, Mars is kinder to meteorites. The Block Island — The largest metallic meteorite found 1. False-color view of Allan Hills. 1 2 thin produces less friction and by either rover is about the maximum size that could 2. False-color view of Heat Shield heating. Greater numbers of older meteorites sit in be slowed in the present atmosphere. The blue-tinted, Rock. plain view on Mars. They are unaffected in comparison half-ton meteorite (pictured, above right) is the size of a 3 3. False-color close-up of Block Island. large watermelon. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell

JPL 400-1548I 12/13 Eagle Endurance Crater Crater Crater

Landing Site Victoria Crater

Columbia Hills

Husband Hill Cape York

Solander Point

Comanche Endeavour Crater

500 m Home Plate 5 km

Spirit and Opportunity: Traverse Maps

www.nasa.gov The Mars Exploration Rover Mission with many stops along the way, across flat plains to reach the Columbia Hills. The map of the rover’s tra- Spirit and Opportunity are identical twin robotic rov- verse through those hills resembles that of a hiking ers that have gone far beyond their original scientific trail, testament to Spirit’s challenging trek as it blazed objectives to rewrite our understanding of the early his- short, steep paths to the top of Husband Hill. At the tory of Mars. NASA sent these two “robotic geologists” end of its travels, Spirit had put 4.8 miles (7.73 kilome- on a 90-day mission to search for geological clues ters) on its odometer, more than 12 times farther than regarding environmental conditions on early Mars, and the original goal. assess whether those environments were conducive to life. The mission team chose two landing sites, Gusev Opportunity’s Journey Crater and Meridiani Planum, for the likelihood that Opportunity’s path on Mars began upon landing at Ea- liquid water, a prerequisite for life, was once present gle Crater. The rover’s landing site was formally named there. the Challenger Memorial Station. Over the course of Each rover far outlasted its design lifetime. Spirit 10 years, it traveled to Endurance Crater, Victoria Cra- launched June 10, 2003, and landed in Gusev Cra- ter, Cape York and Solander Point at Endeavour Crater. ter on January 4, 2004. Opportunity launched July 7, By mid-November 2013, Opportunity had traveled 2003, and landed in Meridiani Planum on January 25, more than 24 miles (38.6 kilometers) and continued on. 2004. Opportunity continues to operate in its tenth year. Spirit’s final communication to Earth occurred on The Mars Exploration Rover mission is part of NASA’s Mars March 22, 2010, about six years into its mission. The Exploration Program, a long-term, multi-mission effort to un- rover lasted 20 times longer than its original design. derstand Mars as a potential place for past or present life (its Wheels In Motion habitability), to seek signs of life, and to prepare for human exploration. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the With the gift of the rovers’ longevity, the mission team California Institute of Technology, manages the mission on determined to use them to explore as much of Mars as behalf of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. possible until the machines wore out from use. What began as a fairly simple geologic experiment on Mars Other NASA Center partners include Ames Research Center, ultimately turned into humanity’s first real overland ex- Langley Research Center, Glenn Research Center, and Ken- pedition across another planet. nedy Space Center. Science payload partners include , Arizona State University, Max Planck Institut für Faraway bumps on the became realistic desti- Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg University, Niels Bohr Institute, nations. The search for clues toward new discoveries Honeybee Robotics, and the U.S. Geological Survey. is what drove the direction of Spirit’s and Opportunity’s journeys. The rovers moved from one interesting site to More Information the next, creating the large and small zigzags evident marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov in the overhead view of their paths.

Spirit’s Traverse 1. Spirit’s final traverse map. 1 2 2. Opportunity’s traverse map as of Spirit’s Gusev Crater landing spot was named Colum- mid-November 2013. bia Memorial Station. From there, the rover made its Above: Opportunity’s wheel tracks stretch for miles across the way to Bonneville Crater, then made a near-beeline, Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell .

JPL 400-1548J 12/13