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Latest News From Spirit and Opportunity - October 13, 2004


Spirit Update Spirit investigating 'Tetl.'  After working on Mars for three times as long as its primary three-month mission, Spirit is healthy and currently investigating a rock called "Tetl" in the "Columbia Hills." more >>

Opportunity Update Working towards 'Wopmay'  Opportunity is making its way toward an odd-looking rock called "Wopmay" and has passed the one-mile mark. more >>
Week in Review Slideshows
'Escher' Rock

This false-color image taken by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity shows a rock dubbed "Escher" on the southwestern slopes of "Endurance Crater." Scientists believe the rock's fractures, which divide the surface into polygons, may have been formed by one of several processes. They may have been caused by the impact that created Endurance Crater, or they might have arisen when water leftover from the rock's formation dried up.
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'Escher' Rock
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'Tetl' Rock 'Tetl' Rock

This image, taken by the panoramic camera on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit during the rover's trek through the "Columbia Hills" at "Gusev Crater," shows the horizontally layered rock dubbed "Tetl." Scientists hope to investigate this rock in more detail, aiming to determine whether the rock's layering is volcanic or sedimentary in origin. If for some reason this particular rock is not favorably positioned for grinding and examination by the toolbox of instruments on the rover's robotic arm, Spirit will be within short reach of another similar rock, dubbed "Coba." more >>
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Announcements


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Features
Mission Fantastic to Mars Mission Fantastic to Mars
August, 2004
This is a five-part series covering the experiences of key participants in the Mars Exploration Rover mission.  >>
Endless Summer? Endless Summer? - Aug 09, 2004
Both Mars Exploration Rovers are fighters, beating the count a handful of times on Earth and on Mars. Having flown in the face of "old age" and impending demise, Spirit and Opportunity might also be able to resist the reduction of direct sunlight and Mother Nature’s minions of martian winter clouds. >>
About Face: Rover Engineers Change the Rules for Driving About Face: Rover Engineers Change the Rules for Driving
- Jul 16, 2004
With Spirit’s right front wheel showing signs of age, engineers are finding creative ways to keep the rover moving. They’re inventing a whole new rule book, such as driving forward in reverse and turning the wheels to go straight. >>
To Mars and Back To Mars and Back - Jul 12, 2004
Students Share the Excitement (and hard work) of the Mars Exploration Rover Mission. >>
Masterminds of Scientific Art and Rover Movement on Mars Masterminds of Scientific Art and Rover Movement on Mars - Jul 09, 2004
The inventors of digital camera technology bring you breathtaking pictures from space and keep the Mars rovers safe. >>
Rover to Get Lube Job? Rover to Get Lube Job? - Jul 07, 2004
As Spirit comes up on its 3,000-meter check-up, the rover may need a lube job to rejuvenate one of its wheels. Even so, the spacecraft's designers are thrilled that the rover has far exceeded its original warranty. >>
Steep Grade Ahead: Can the Rover Make It? Steep Grade Ahead: Can the Rover Make It? - Jun 10, 2004
At the edge of Endurance Crater, Opportunity was poised for the biggest challenge of its short existence: a drive down into Endurance Crater. >>
What's in a Name? It Depends on Who's Doing the Naming - Jun 02, 2004 What's in a Name? It Depends on Who's Doing the Naming - Jun 02, 2004
Generically referring to features as "that crater," "this rock," or "these hills" could quickly become confusing. >>
more features >>


Multimedia

Flight Director's Update
Flight Director's Update
October 12: Slipping and Sliding
Driving Uphill Backwards
Driving Uphill Backwards
Testing Spirit on Five Wheels
Testing Spirit on Five Wheels
Mars on Earth II
Mars on Earth II
Entering Endurance Crater
Entering Endurance Crater
A picture from Spirit as she sits on the lander
Spirit: 90 Sols in 90 Seconds
A picture from Opportunity as she sits on the lander
Opportunity:
90 Sols in 90 Seconds
more videos >>

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