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The nose cone of the rocket separates during the launch phase and the Mars Exploration Rover is sent on a seven-month journey to Mars.

October 01, 2002

The nose cone of the rocket separates during the launch phase and the Mars Exploration Rover is sent on a seven-month journey to Mars.

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NASA

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The boulder-studded ridge in this scene recorded by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is "McClure-Beverlin Escarpment," informally named for Jack Beverlin and Bill McClure, engineers who on...
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The boulder-studded ridge in this scene recorded by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is "McClure-Beverlin Escarpment," informally named for Jack Beverlin and Bill McClure, engineers who on Feb. 14, 1969, risked their lives to save NASA's second successful Mars mission, Mariner 6, on its launch pad.
Opportunity's Southward View of 'McClure-Beverlin Escarpment' on Mars (True Color)
This map updates progress that NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is making toward reaching a driving distance equivalent to a marathon footrace. It indicates the rover position on March 5, ...
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This map updates progress that NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is making toward reaching a driving distance equivalent to a marathon footrace. It indicates the rover position on March 5, 2015, relative to where it could surpass that distance.
Rover's Progress Toward Mars Marathon, Sol 3948
This animation features the Mars Exploration Rover's entry into the martian atmosphere and final soft landing using airbags. (Audio: mechanical sounds only)
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Mars Exploration Rover Entry, Descent and Landing on Mars
Mars Exploration Rover Entry, Descent and Landing on Mars
Results from Opportunity and Curiosity show Mars could have supported life.
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Results from Opportunity and Curiosity show Mars could have supported life.
Rover Fist Bump
Late-afternoon shadows include one cast by the rover itself in this look toward the floor of Endeavour Crater by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity. The rover's Navcam recorded the three com...
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Opportunity's View Downhill Catches Martian Shadows
Opportunity's View Downhill Catches Martian Shadows
Cumulative driving by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity surpassed marathon distance on March 24, 2015, as the rover neared a destination called "Marathon Valley," which is middle ground of ...
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Cumulative driving by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity surpassed marathon distance on March 24, 2015, as the rover neared a destination called "Marathon Valley," which is middle ground of this stereo view from early March.
Opportunity's Approach to 'Marathon Valley' (Stereo)
This image highlights the bumpy terrain surrounding the rover.
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This image highlights the bumpy terrain surrounding the rover.
Spirit Spies Its Shadow
If a human with perfect vision donned a spacesuit and stepped onto the martian surface, the view would be as clear as this sweeping panorama taken by Spirit.
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If a human with perfect vision donned a spacesuit and stepped onto the martian surface, the view would be as clear as this sweeping panorama taken by Spirit.
'Everest' Panorama; 20-20 Vision
The pointy features, dubbed "Razorback," in this image may only be a few centimeters high but they generate major scientific interest.
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The pointy features, dubbed "Razorback," in this image may only be a few centimeters high but they generate major scientific interest.
The 'Razorback' Mystery
Locations of landers and rovers on Mars.
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Locations of landers and rovers on Mars.
Mars Landing Sites (2005)
This set of images from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows a fierce dust storm is kicking up on Mars, with rovers on the surface indicated as icons.
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This set of images from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows a fierce dust storm is kicking up on Mars, with rovers on the surface indicated as icons.
2018 Giant Dust Storm on Mars
This stereo view shows the "Murray Ridge" portion of the western rim of Endeavour Crater on Mars. It appears three-dimensional when seen through blue-red glasses with the red lens on the left. NASA...
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This stereo view shows the "Murray Ridge" portion of the western rim of Endeavour Crater on Mars. It appears three-dimensional when seen through blue-red glasses with the red lens on the left.
'Murray Ridge' in Stereo from Mars Rover Opportunity
NASA's Mars Rover Opportunity catches its own late-afternoon shadow in this dramatically lit view eastward across Endeavour Crater on Mars.
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NASA's Mars Rover Opportunity catches its own late-afternoon shadow in this dramatically lit view eastward across Endeavour Crater on Mars.
Late Afternoon Shadows at Endeavour Crater
This artist's rendering depicts NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. The twin rovers were launched in 2003 and arrived on Mars in January 2004.
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This artist's rendering depicts NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. The twin rovers were launched in 2003 and arrived on Mars in January 2004.
Mars Exploration Rovers: Spirit & Opportunity - Artist's Concept
Spirit acquired this false-color image after using the rock abrasion tool to brush the surfaces of rock targets informally named "Stars" (left) and "Crawfords" (right). Small streaks of dust extend...
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Spirit acquired this false-color image after using the rock abrasion tool to brush the surfaces of rock targets informally named "Stars" (left) and "Crawfords" (right). Small streaks of dust extend for several centimeters behind the small rock chips and pebbles in the dusty, red soils. Because the rover was looking southwest when this image was taken, the wind streaks indicate that the dominant wind direction was from the southeast.
Rock Outcrop at 'Home Plate'
This June 2017 view from the Pancam on NASA's Opportunity Mars rover shows the area just above "Perseverance Valley" on a large crater's rim. A broad notch in the crest of the rim, at right, mig...
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This June 2017 view from the Pancam on NASA's Opportunity Mars rover shows the area just above "Perseverance Valley" on a large crater's rim. A broad notch in the crest of the rim, at right, might have been a spillway for a fluid that carved the valley, out of sight on the other side of the rim.
Panorama Above 'Perseverance Valley' on Mars
This before-and-after pair of images of the same patch of ground in front of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity 13 days apart documents the arrival of a bright rock onto the scene.
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This before-and-after pair of images of the same patch of ground in front of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity 13 days apart documents the arrival of a bright rock onto the scene.
Rock That Appeared in Front of Opportunity on "Murray Ridge"
Spirit examined spectacular layered rocks exposed at "Home Plate."
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Spirit examined spectacular layered rocks exposed at "Home Plate."
Spirit Says Goodbye to 'Home Plate'
Cumulative driving by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity surpassed marathon distance on March 24, 2015, as the rover neared a destination called "Marathon Valley," which is middle ground of ...
More
Cumulative driving by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity surpassed marathon distance on March 24, 2015, as the rover neared a destination called "Marathon Valley," which is middle ground of this dramatic view from early March.
Opportunity's Approach to 'Marathon Valley'
In February 2015, NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is approaching a cumulative driving distance on Mars equal to the length of a marathon race. This map shows the rover's position relative...
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In February 2015, NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is approaching a cumulative driving distance on Mars equal to the length of a marathon race. This map shows the rover's position relative to where it could surpass that distance.
Opportunity Rover Nears Mars Marathon Feat (Unlabeled)
This scene from NASA's Mars rover Opportunity shows "Wharton Ridge," on the western rim of Endeavour Crater. The ridge's name honors the memory of astrobiologist Robert A. Wharton (1951-2012). The ...
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This scene from NASA's Mars rover Opportunity shows "Wharton Ridge," on the western rim of Endeavour Crater. The ridge's name honors the memory of astrobiologist Robert A. Wharton (1951-2012). The scene is presented in enhanced color to make differences in surface materials more easily visible.
Mars Rover Opportunity's Panorama of 'Wharton Ridge' (Enhanced Color)
Interact with this 3D model of a Mars Exploration Rover.
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3D model of MER
Spirit and Opportunity Rover, 3D Model
At a rock called "Clovis," the rock abrasion tool on Spirit cut a 9-millimeter (0.35-inch) hole. To the right of the drill hole is a "brush flower" of circles produced by scrubbing the surface of...
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At a rock called "Clovis," the rock abrasion tool on Spirit cut a 9-millimeter (0.35-inch) hole. To the right of the drill hole is a "brush flower" of circles produced by scrubbing the surface of the rock with the abrasion tool's wire brush.
Deep Hole in 'Clovis'
This full-circle, stereo panorama shows the terrain around the NASA Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity during the 3,105th Martian day, or sol, of the rover's work on Mars (Oct. 18, 2012).
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This full-circle, stereo panorama shows the terrain around the NASA Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity during the 3,105th Martian day, or sol, of the rover's work on Mars (Oct. 18, 2012).
Opportunity's Surroundings on Sol 3105, Stereo View
Rover 1 sits atop the deployed lander with its solar arrays and wheels stowed.
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Rover 1 sits atop the deployed lander with its solar arrays and wheels stowed.
Mars Exploration Rovers: Rover 1 and lander

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