The Delta II rocket that carried the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit sat ready for launch at Kennedy Space Center in June 2003. NASA's twin Mars Exploration Rovers were designed to study the history of water on Mars. These robotic geologists are equipped with a robotic arm, a drilling tool, three spectrometers, and four pairs of cameras.
The Delta II rocket that carried the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit sat ready for launch at Kennedy Space Center in June 2003.
NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers were designed to study the history of water on Mars. These robotic geologists are equipped with a robotic arm, a drilling tool, three spectrometers, and four pairs of cameras that allow them to have a human-like, 3D view of the terrain.
The rovers have now spent 4 years on the surface of the Red Planet, vastly exceeding their respective 90-day mission parameters.Image Credit: NASA