Posted: Wed, Dec 31, 2003, 9:53 AM ET (1453 GMT)
Spirit, one of NASA's twin Mars Exploration Rovers, adjusted its course late last week to put the spacecraft on final approach for a landing on Mars late Saturday. The spacecraft fired its thrusters for 3.4 seconds on December 26 to adjust its course, the fourth trajectory maneuver since its launch in June. Two more maneuvers are scheduled before landing, but they may not be necessary based on tracking data obtained since the last maneuver. The spacecraft is scheduled to land in the Gusev Crater region of Mars at 11:35 pm EST January 3 (0435 GMT January 4). The other rover, Opportunity, is scheduled to land on Mars on January 24.

Related Links:

•  NASA/JPL press release
•  AP article