Spirit returns first images of landing site
Posted: Sun, Jan 4, 2004, 10:15 AM ET (1515 GMT)
The Mars rover Spirit has sent back its first images of its landing site, revealing relatively flat terrain with few obstacles for the rover. The black-and-white images of the landing site were transmitted about three hours after the spacecraft safely landed on the planet. The panoramic images of the Gusev Crater landing site show a flat terrain with few boulders, although a small boulder was seen nestled against the spacecraft itself. Scientists are pleased with the images, concluding that the lack of boulders and other obstacles should make it easy for the rover to travel throughout the area. The first color images from Spirit could come later on Sunday. The rover itself is not expected to leave the lander for over a week, however, as controllers methodically work through a series of steps to prepare the rover for operations.
The Mars rover Spirit has sent back its first images of its landing site, revealing relatively flat terrain with few obstacles for the rover. The black-and-white images of the landing site were transmitted about three hours after the spacecraft safely landed on the planet. The panoramic images of the Gusev Crater landing site show a flat terrain with few boulders, although a small boulder was seen nestled against the spacecraft itself. Scientists are pleased with the images, concluding that the lack of boulders and other obstacles should make it easy for the rover to travel throughout the area. The first color images from Spirit could come later on Sunday. The rover itself is not expected to leave the lander for over a week, however, as controllers methodically work through a series of steps to prepare the rover for operations.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Sunday, October 26
Space Cargo Unlimited and COMAT Sign Partnership to Deliver In-Space Manufacturing Capacity to Private Industry
Space Cargo Unlimited — 6:59 pm ET (2259 GMT) GMV connects habitats across the globe in the World’s Biggest Space Analog Mission
GMV — 6:57 pm ET (2257 GMT) NOVI Demonstrates Real-Time Marine Vessel Detection On-Board Its SEED Payload on the International Space Station
Newswire — 6:56 pm ET (2256 GMT) Discovery of Brown Dwarf Companion Provides New Insight into Stellar and Planetary Formation and Evolution
Keck Observatory — 6:55 pm ET (2255 GMT) GomSpace signs 8.4 MSEK Contract for Europe's Planetary Defense Strategy & Space Exploration
GomSpace — 6:52 pm ET (2252 GMT) |
