What have the rovers accomplished?

The Spirit rover successfully touched down on Mars January 4, 2008, three weeks before Opportunity landed on the opposite side of the red planet. As stated before, the main objectives were to scale their area of landing and collect data that would give scientist here on Earth a better understanding of the planet Mars. More specifically, they were to: collect rocks and soils from Mars’ surface, determine the processes that created the rocks and soils, determine the distribution of rocks and minerals, determine what geological processes have shaped the terrain, search for clues to the conditions that existed when liquid water was present, and assess whether these conditions were conducive to life. Through these observations, scientist hoped to be able to characterize the climate and geology of Mars, and to learn whether life ever arose on Mars.

As we all know, water is always required to sustain any type of life. Although we have found water no longer exists on Mars, we have found numerous evidence that it once did. Opportunity was the first to discover the plains of the Meridani once had an abundance of water through the geographical canals. However this was not the only evidence. The discovery of the mineral hematite was found in spherical balls, which on earth often forms in the presence of water. The mineral jarosite was later found by opportunity as well. Jarosite we are positive must form in the presence of water, thus helping bring us to our conclusion. But opportunity was not done there; the greatest discovery of all came when the robot found centimeter-scale cross beds in the ground proving water once flowed there. The mineral make-up again aided in the conclusion. We still have no proof Mars was every capable of sustaining life, but with this abundance of evidence, one can certainly be skeptical.

While studying the geology of Mars, Spirit and opportunity found that it was a sulfate-rich planet, at one time it was much wetter, and it use to be prone to explosive volcanoes and meteorite impacts. Although Opportunity was the first rover to find proof of the existence of water in Mars’ past, Spirit also found proof that water existed at one point in its area of exploration. Spirit also captured photographs of black rocks made from hardened lava, as well as many geographical features that had been seen from Mars orbiters. Each day, Spirit sent images back to Earth that have helped scientist map and learn about the physical geography of Mars and its surface features.

While trying to find signs of life and surveying the geometry, scientists at NASA were also interested in the Climate. The rovers sent back daily weather reports. Reports which showed NASA harsh dust storms from Sprits viewpoint and from the opposite side Opportunity captured clouds and frost on the rock. They can use this new data, along with evidence on the ground to compare the climate change of mars over the years.

The Mars Exploration Rover Mission has been a great success. Both rovers have lasted much longer than they were expected and are collecting priceless data from the surface of Mars. This successful mission has created the opportunity for future missions to Mars, with the possibility of human exploration. It has also given hope to possibility of exploration of other planets in our solar system. Through Spirit and Opportunity’s efforts we have been able to further learn about and understand the climate and geology of Mars.

Where are they now?

Some people may inquire as to where the Spirit and Opportunity Rovers are now and what they are doing.  The Spirit and Opportunity Rovers for the past seven or eight months have been conserving energy to try and wait out severe dust storms on Mars. These dust storms have put dust into the atmosphere prohibiting the rovers from getting enough sunlight needed to fully function.   This has made NASA put the rovers into hibernation in order to preserve their battery life for future functions on the planet. 

A little over three months ago the Opportunity exited the Victoria Crater where it had been examining some light color rocks on its inside wall. It then began its trip toward the Endeavor Crater and on its way it will explore the Meridani Plains. This has all been put on hold for the time being due to the solar conjunction, where the Sun is between Earth and Mars blocking all communications between earth and the rovers.  NASA is very confident that the rovers will live through this lapse of communication although they do not know what will occur during the lapse. One problem that has occurred recently with the Opportunity Rover is that it detected a current spike in its electrical system that resembles that of the spike that was the wheel failure of the Spirit. The NASA officials were very tentative about this spike and have tried to conserve energy and not do anything out of the ordinary so as to not hurt the wheel anymore.

The Spirit has been exploring different places through and around Mars as well. However, the Spirit also was equipped with an astronomy telescope, and was able to capture images of the sun as stars as seen on from the surface of Mars.  Though spirit has had some complications with its front wheel, NASA has found a way around this flaw, and continues driving the rover in reverse across the planets surface.   They have also found the dead wheel to be a positive in some aspects.  The dead wheel has turned up some Martian soil that has revealed an environment perfect to support microbial life. This discovery has excited the scientists at NASA and has lead to more experiments and exploration of Mars. 

The future of the rovers is a little unknown because of the length of the rovers has been outlived by about 20 times. With the equipment wearing down, the lifetime is unknown, as they have exceeded expectations by years.  Until that day comes, we can count on Spirit and Opportunity to keep exploring such a dynamic planet, and maybe one day make it possible for human exploration as well!

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