NASA extends Mars rover missions again
Posted: Wed, Apr 6, 2005, 6:15 AM ET (1015 GMT)
NASA announced Tuesday that it has extended the mission of the highly successful Mars Exploration Rovers for up to 18 more months. The twin rovers, named Spirit and Opportunity, have been on the Martian surface since January 2004 and continue to function well despite initial plans to operate for only 90 days. The rovers' mission has been extended twice before; the current extension will last up to 18 months, depending on the health of the spacecraft. Opportunity, in the Meridiani Planum region of Mars, is approaching a region called "Etched Terrain" where wind erosion may have exposed bedrock. Spirit, on the other side of Mars in Gusev Crater, is climbing Husband Hill within the crater. NASA did not disclose the cost of the mission extension; the last extension, in September, cost NASA $2.8 million a month.
NASA announced Tuesday that it has extended the mission of the highly successful Mars Exploration Rovers for up to 18 more months. The twin rovers, named Spirit and Opportunity, have been on the Martian surface since January 2004 and continue to function well despite initial plans to operate for only 90 days. The rovers' mission has been extended twice before; the current extension will last up to 18 months, depending on the health of the spacecraft. Opportunity, in the Meridiani Planum region of Mars, is approaching a region called "Etched Terrain" where wind erosion may have exposed bedrock. Spirit, on the other side of Mars in Gusev Crater, is climbing Husband Hill within the crater. NASA did not disclose the cost of the mission extension; the last extension, in September, cost NASA $2.8 million a month.| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, March 17
International Launch Services and Telesat Announce the ILS Proton Launch of Nimiq 6 in 2012
ILS — 10:14 pm ET (0214 GMT) Soviet rover still there on the Moon, NASA photos prove
Russia Today — 10:07 pm ET (0207 GMT) Nelson feels positive about NASA's future
WFTS-TV Tampa — 10:07 pm ET (0207 GMT) Former congressman lobbies for commercial space firm while trying to defend NASA manned space flight jobs for Huntsville
Birmingham (Ala.) News — 10:04 pm ET (0204 GMT) Integral Systems Demos High Data Rate Modem (HDRM) at Satellite 2010 Conference
GlobeNewswire — 10:04 pm ET (0204 GMT) |