Skip Navigation
menu

Images

Mars Exploration Rovers: Landing on the surface

Protected by large airbags, the lander falls away from the parachute, landing safely on Mars.

October 01, 2002

Protected by large airbags, the lander falls away from the parachute, landing safely on Mars.

Credits

NASA

ENLARGE

Related

"Marathon Valley" on Mars opens northeastward in this stereo version of a scene from the Pancam of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity. The scene, recorded in April and May 2016, appears thre...
More
"Marathon Valley" on Mars opens northeastward in this stereo version of a scene from the Pancam of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity. The scene, recorded in April and May 2016, appears three-dimensional when seen through blue-red glasses with the red lens on the left.
Mars Rover Opportunity's Panorama of 'Marathon Valley' (Stereo)
This Sept. 21, 2016, scene from the panoramic camera (Pancam) on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity shows "Spirit Mound" overlooking the floor of Endeavour Crater. The mound stands near the ...
More
This Sept. 21, 2016, scene from the panoramic camera (Pancam) on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity shows "Spirit Mound" overlooking the floor of Endeavour Crater. The mound stands near the eastern end of "Bitterroot Valley" on the western rim of the crater, and this view faces eastward.
'Spirit Mound' at Edge of Endeavour Crater, Mars
The close camaraderie among scientists and engineers who worked on NASA’s Opportunity rover is evident in this image from Feb. 12, 2019, at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
More
The close camaraderie among scientists and engineers who worked on NASA’s Opportunity rover is evident in this image from Feb. 12, 2019, at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
One Last Listen
These views of Mars are just a small sampling from the 124,000 images returned by the Spirit rover. (Audio: music only)
More
Spirit's Snapshots of Mars
Spirit's Snapshots of Mars
A region known as "Cape York" on the western rim of Endeavour Crater, where NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity worked for 20 months, is highlighted in these images.
More
A region known as "Cape York" on the western rim of Endeavour Crater, where NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity worked for 20 months, is highlighted in these images.
'Cape York' Explored
This false color image suggests that the plains beyond the small crater where the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity now sits are littered with the same dark grey material found inside the crater i...
More
This false color image suggests that the plains beyond the small crater where the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity now sits are littered with the same dark grey material found inside the crater in the form of spherules or "blueberries."
Berries' Here, There, Everywhere
This view from within "Perseverance Valley," on the rim of Endurance Crater, includes wheel tracks from the Opportunity Mars rover's descent of the valley to investigate its origin. The rover's Pan...
More
View From Within 'Perseverance Valley' on Mars
View From Within 'Perseverance Valley' on Mars
Near the lower left corner of this view is the three-petal lander platform that NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit drove off in January 2004.
More
Near the lower left corner of this view is the three-petal lander platform that NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit drove off in January 2004.
Spirit Lander and Bonneville Crater in Color
6th Year Anniversary Graphic
More
6th Year Anniversary Graphic
6th Year Anniversary Graphic
Wheel tracks from NASA's Mars rover Opportunity descending and departing the "Cape Tribulation" segment of Endeavour Crater's rim are visible in this April 21, 2017, view from the rover's Pancam. T...
More
Wheel tracks from NASA's Mars rover Opportunity descending and departing the "Cape Tribulation" segment of Endeavour Crater's rim are visible in this April 21, 2017, view from the rover's Pancam. This version is presented in enhanced color to make differences in surface materials more visible.
Putting Martian 'Tribulation' Behind (Enhanced Color)
Five decades of successful NASA missions to the Red Planet, 1965-2015.
More
50 Years of Mars Exploration
50 Years of Mars Exploration
In this photo, engineers are preparing the rover for vibration testing to ensure that it can undergo the rigors of launch and entry into the martian atmosphere. The rovers are scheduled to launch n...
More
In this photo, engineers are preparing the rover for vibration testing to ensure that it can undergo the rigors of launch and entry into the martian atmosphere. The rovers are scheduled to launch next spring and will arrive at Mars in January 2004.
Mars Exploration Rover Makes Progress: Cruise stage
This enhanced-color view from within "Perseverance Valley," on the inner slope of the western rim of Mars' Endurance Crater, includes wheel tracks from the Opportunity rover's descent of the valley...
More
View From Within 'Perseverance Valley' on Mars (Enhanced Color)
View From Within 'Perseverance Valley' on Mars (Enhanced Color)
With the parachute deployed, three retrorockets fire their engines, suspending the lander 30 - 50 feet above the Martian surface.
More
With the parachute deployed, three retrorockets fire their engines, suspending the lander 30 - 50 feet above the Martian surface.
Mars Exploration Rovers: Descent Artwork
The rock abrasion tool on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit ground two holes in a relatively soft rock called "Wooly Patch" near the base of the "Columbia Hills" inside Gusev Crater on Mars.
More
The rock abrasion tool on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit ground two holes in a relatively soft rock called "Wooly Patch" near the base of the "Columbia Hills" inside Gusev Crater on Mars.
Two Holes in 'Wooly Patch' (False Color)
The deck of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit is so dusty that the rover almost blends into the dusty background in this image assembled from frames taken by the panoramic camera (Pancam) during...
More
The deck of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit is so dusty that the rover almost blends into the dusty background in this image assembled from frames taken by the panoramic camera (Pancam) during the period from Spirit's Sol 1,355 through Sol 1,358 (Oct. 26-29, 2007).
Dusty Solar Panels on Spirit
Researchers created each of 11 pieces in the 3D printer and glued them together to build the true-size model.
More
Researchers created each of 11 pieces in the 3D printer and glued them together to build the true-size model.
Meteorite Model Pieces
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity observed this outcrop on the "Murray Ridge" portion of the rim of Endeavour Crater as the rover approached the 10th anniversary of its landing on Mars.
More
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity observed this outcrop on the "Murray Ridge" portion of the rim of Endeavour Crater as the rover approached the 10th anniversary of its landing on Mars.
Outcrop on 'Murray Ridge' Section of Martian Crater Rim (False Color)
Two spacecraft engineers stand with a group of vehicles providing a comparison of three generations of Mars rovers developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. The setting is JPL...
More
Two spacecraft engineers stand with a group of vehicles providing a comparison of three generations of Mars rovers developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. The setting is JPL's Mars Yard testing area.
Three Generations of Rovers with Standing Engineers
This graph compares the elemental composition of typical soils at three landing regions on Mars.
More
This graph compares the elemental composition of typical soils at three landing regions on Mars: Gusev Crater, where NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit traveled; Meridiani Planum, where Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity still roams; and now Gale Crater, where NASA's newest Curiosity rover is currently investigating.
Inspecting Soils Across Mars
The aeroshell for Mars Exploration Rover 2 rests on end after rotation in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility.
More
The aeroshell for Mars Exploration Rover 2 rests on end after rotation in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility.
Mars Exploration Rover: Bottom of aeroshell
This Martian scene shows contrasting textures and colors of "Hinners Point," at the northern edge of "Marathon Valley," and swirling reddish zones on the valley floor to the left.
More
This Martian scene shows contrasting textures and colors of "Hinners Point," at the northern edge of "Marathon Valley," and swirling reddish zones on the valley floor to the left.
'Hinners Point' Above Floor of 'Marathon Valley' on Mars (Enhanced Color)
This vista of the Endeavour Crater rim was acquired by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity's panoramic camera on April 18, 2014, from "Murray Ridge" on the western rim of the crater. It is pr...
More
This vista of the Endeavour Crater rim was acquired by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity's panoramic camera on April 18, 2014, from "Murray Ridge" on the western rim of the crater. It is presented in false color to make differences in surface materials more easily visible.
Endeavour Crater Rim From 'Murray Ridge' on Mars, False Color
A shadow and tracks of NASA's Mars rover Opportunity appear in this March 22, 2016, image, which has been rotated 13.5 degrees to adjust for the tilt of the rover. The hillside descends to the left...
More
A shadow and tracks of NASA's Mars rover Opportunity appear in this March 22, 2016, image, which has been rotated 13.5 degrees to adjust for the tilt of the rover. The hillside descends to the left into 'Marathon Valley.' The floor of Endeavour Crater is seen beneath the underside of a solar panel.
Opportunity's Shadow and Tracks on Martian Slope
As Opportunity crept farther into "Endurance Crater," the dune field on the crater floor appeared even more dramatic.
More
As Opportunity crept farther into "Endurance Crater," the dune field on the crater floor appears even more dramatic.
'Endurance Crater's' Dazzling Dunes

You Might Also Like

The agency is asking the NASA community to work together to develop a revised plan that leverages innovation and proven technology.
More
NASA Sets Path to Return Mars Samples, Seeks Innovative Designs
NASA Sets Path to Return Mars Samples, Seeks Innovative Designs
NASA has proven powered, controlled flight is possible on other worlds, just as the Wright brothers proved it was possible on Earth.
More
After Three Years on Mars, NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter Mission Ends
After Three Years on Mars, NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter Mission Ends
The agency established the board in May 2023 to evaluate the technical, cost, and schedule plans prior to confirmation of the mission’s design.
More
NASA Releases Independent Review's Mars Sample Return Report
NASA Releases Independent Review's Mars Sample Return Report
A pair of quakes in 2021 sent seismic waves deep into the Red Planet’s core, giving scientists the best data yet on its size and composition.
More
NASA InSight Study Provides Clearest Look Ever at Martian Core
NASA InSight Study Provides Clearest Look Ever at Martian Core
Ten sample tubes, capturing an amazing variety of Martian geology, have been deposited on Mars’ surface so they could be studied on Earth in the future.
More
NASA's Perseverance Rover Completes Mars Sample Depot
NASA's Perseverance Rover Completes Mars Sample Depot
Filled with rock, the sample tube will be one of 10 forming a depot of tubes that could be considered for a journey to Earth by the Mars Sample Return campaign.
More
NASA's Perseverance Rover Deposits First Sample on Mars Surface
NASA's Perseverance Rover Deposits First Sample on Mars Surface