An Overview of the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Mission

Here is what an artist thinks one of the MER rovers might look like on the surface of Mars.
Click on image for full size (68K JPEG)
Image courtesy NASA/JPL

NASA's Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission has sent two robotic rovers to the surface of Mars. The two separate spacecraft are exploring sites on opposite sides of Mars. One rover is exploring Gusev Crater. The other rover is exploring Meridiani Planum. Scientists think there is a good chance that there was water at each of these sites in the past. Places that have or had water are the best places to look for signs of life. The rovers have special instruments to look for signs of water.

The twin MER missions were launched in June and July of 2003. They made it to Mars in January 2004. The two rovers have been given names. The first is named "Spirit" and the second is called "Opportunity".

NASA JPL Mars Exploration Rover mission home page

MER vehicles

MER mission events timeline

Spirit landing site - Gusev Crater

Opportunity landing site - Meridiani Planum

Last modified February 7, 2004 by Randy Russell.
The source of this material is Windows to the Universe, at http://www.windows.ucar.edu/ at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). © The Regents of the University of Michigan. Windows to the Universe® is a registered trademark of UCAR. All Rights Reserved. Site policies and disclaimer

An Overview of the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Mission

Here is what an artist thinks one of the MER rovers might look like on the surface of Mars. Click on image for full size (68K JPEG) Image courtesy NASA/JPL

Here is what an artist thinks one of the MER rovers might look like on the surface of Mars.
Click on image for full size (68K JPEG)
Image courtesy NASA/JPL