Mars Exploration Rover Mission Mars Exploration Rover Mission

We're Back on Mars!!!!!

This has got to be one of the most exciting ways to start the new year! "Spirit" landed successfully on the Red Planet on January 3rd. In looking at the wonderful pictures being received, we are reminded of just how thrilling space exploration really is.

Even the black and white pictures are awe-inspiring. One of my particular favorites is this panorama of Spirit's landing site. Just think - we are seeing the Sun from the perspective of the surface of another planet!

The other picture that really got to me was of the plaque that is mounted on the back of Spirit's high-gain antenna. It was designed by Mars Exploration Rover engineers, and commemorates the astronauts who died in the tragic accident of the Space Shuttle Columbia. The astronauts are also honored by the new name of the rover landing site, the Columbia Memorial Station. This image was taken on Mars by Spirit's navigation camera. Although nothing will ever make up for the loss suffered by their families, and the world at large, I feel that it is important to remember that without them, and all of the others like them, our space exploration would still be nothing more than the stuff dreams are made of.

Below are some great links to information on the Mars Exploration Rover Mission, the history of Mars exploration, and information on the Red Planet in general.

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