Spirit approaches crater
Posted: Fri, Mar 12, 2004, 1:39 PM ET (1839 GMT)
The Mars rover Spirit approached a crater it has been moving towards for several weeks, while project officials said both rovers' lifespans should be much longer than originally planned. Spirit is now near the rim of Bonneville, a crater 200 meters in diameter a few hundred meters from where Spirit landed within Gusev crater. Project scientists have not decided yet, though, whether to send the rover inside the crater. Initial images of the interior of the crater show few interesting features, and the rough terrain could keep the rover trapped inside should it venture in. However, it appears both Spirit and Opportunity will have plenty of time to explore their respective landing sites: mission manager Jennifer Trosper said Thursday that both rovers should last at least 200 days, far longer than their original 90-day lifetime. The extended lifetime may make it possible for Spirit to venture to a hilly region 2.5 kilometers away before the mission ends.
The Mars rover Spirit approached a crater it has been moving towards for several weeks, while project officials said both rovers' lifespans should be much longer than originally planned. Spirit is now near the rim of Bonneville, a crater 200 meters in diameter a few hundred meters from where Spirit landed within Gusev crater. Project scientists have not decided yet, though, whether to send the rover inside the crater. Initial images of the interior of the crater show few interesting features, and the rough terrain could keep the rover trapped inside should it venture in. However, it appears both Spirit and Opportunity will have plenty of time to explore their respective landing sites: mission manager Jennifer Trosper said Thursday that both rovers should last at least 200 days, far longer than their original 90-day lifetime. The extended lifetime may make it possible for Spirit to venture to a hilly region 2.5 kilometers away before the mission ends.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, April 25
Boeing reports progress on containing Starliner costs
Space News — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) Katalyst Space acquires Atomos to accelerate in-space services
Space News — 5:51 am ET (0951 GMT) Okapi raises 13 million euros to expand space traffic management suite
Space News — 5:51 am ET (0951 GMT) Hidden and hampered: elevating the Office of Commercial Space Transportation
Space News — 5:51 am ET (0951 GMT) Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft arrives at Tiangong space station
Space News — 5:51 am ET (0951 GMT) |
