NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Spirit's Tracks From Orbit

Wheel tracks left by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit, and even the rover itself, are visible in this partial image from the Mars Orbiter Camera on NASA's Mars Global Surveyor orbiter(+ View Full Size Image). The tracks and rover are in the area south of the informally named "Bonneville" Crater. The orbiter took this picture on March 30, 2004, 85 martian days, or sols, after Spirit landed on Mars. The rover had driven from its landing site to the rim of Bonneville and was examining materials around the crater's rim.

In this portion of the plains inside the much larger Gusev Crater, Spirit created wheel tracks darker than the undisturbed surface. The contrast allows the tracks to show up in the image obtained from orbit. Also visible in the full image are Spirit's lander, backshell and parachute, and the scar where its heat shield hit the ground.

Photo Credit: NASA/JPL/MSSS