A Boeing Delta 2 rocket carrying the first MER spacecraft, named Spirit, lifts off from Cape Canaveral in Florida on June 10, 2003.
Click on image for full size
Image courtesy NASA.
Mars Exploration Rovers Launched
News story originally written on July 10, 2003
The Mars
Exploration Rovers (MER) mission is now underway. Twin robotic
vehicles bound for Mars were successfully launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida.
The rovers, which will explore the geology of Mars in search of signs of water,
are scheduled to land on Mars in January 2004.
The first MER spacecraft, named Spirit, blasted off on June 10, 2003. It is
slated to land within Gusev
Crater on Mars. The second MER, called Opportunity,
lifted off July 7, 2003. It will explore the Meridiani
Planum region of The
Red Planet. Both spacecraft rode into space atop Boeing Delta II launch vehicles.
Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!
Our
online store includes
issues of NESTA's quarterly journal, The Earth Scientist, full of classroom activities on different topics in Earth and space science, ranging from
seismology,
rocks and minerals,
oceanography, and
Earth system science to
astronomy!
You might also be interested in:
How did life evolve on Earth? The answer to this question can help us understand our past and prepare for our future. Although evolution provides credible and reliable answers, polls show that many people turn away from science, seeking other explanations with which they are more comfortable.
...more
In the past few decades, 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! In 1998, Japan also joined
...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 radioisotope power supply no longer generates enough
...moreThe Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) mission is now underway. Twin robotic vehicles bound for Mars were successfully launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida. The rovers, which will explore the geology of
...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
