A Boeing Delta 2 rocket carrying Spirit blasts off from Cape Canaveral in Florida on June 10, 2003.
Click on image for full size
Image courtesy NASA.
Mars Exploration Rovers Blast Off
News story originally written on July 10, 2003
The Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) are on their way to Mars. MER are two robotic rover vehicles that will explore the Red Planet. Spacecraft carrying MER blasted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The rovers will explore the geology of Mars, in search of signs of water. MER will search for types of rocks that form when water is around. If everything goes well, the two spacecraft will land on Mars in January 2004.
The two rovers are named Spirit and Opportunity. Spirit blasted off on June 10, 2003. Opportunity was launched on July 7, 2003. Delta II rockets made by Boeing boosted the robots into space. It will take the spacecraft about six months to get to Mars.
Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!
Beautiful Nature's Own
onyx household items, including bowls, wine goblets, vases, and a mortar and pestle, are available in our
online store, for the rock lover in all of us!
You might also be interested in:
This special issue of The Earth Scientist, which focuses on Earth System science, was sponsored by The Pennsylvania State University TESSE Team. The issue features the work of middle and high school teachers, and graduate and undergraduate students who have participated in the TESSE program from 2006 - 2009.
...more
Since 1960, the Russian and American space agencies have sent many spacecraft to Mars. Some have been a great success while others didn't even make it into space! Mariner 4 was the first mission to make
...more
Both Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) were launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, during the summer of 2003. The first, Spirit, blasted off on June 10. The second, Opportunity, was launched on July 7. After
...more
NASA scientists were unable to detect a signal from Pioneer 10 when they tried to contact the spacecraft on February 7, 2003. They believe Pioneer 10's power supply doesn't produce enough energy anymore
...moreThe Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) are on their way to Mars. MER are two robotic rover vehicles that will explore the Red Planet. Spacecraft carrying MER blasted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The
...more
1998 was a very full year when it came to space exploration and history making. In the blast-from-the-past department, John Glenn received another go for a launch aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. After
...more
Something new and exciting is happening at Windows to the Universe! Windows scientists say they discovered twelve new stars, including one that is the second brightest in the night sky! They decided to
...more
The following is Andy Thomas's last letter to those on Earth. The subject -- a view from space...As I have orbited around the Earth, I have spoken to many amateur radio operators as well as television
...more
