They're still roving.(EDITORIAL)

They're still roving.(EDITORIAL)

EE-Evaluation Engineering

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March 1, 2006 | Milo, Paul | Copyright

It doesn't seem possible that the two Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, have been on the red planet for more than one Martian year, which in elapsed time is more than two earth years, and still are performing practically flawlessly. The rovers were designed to last only 90 Martian days or sols and so far have surpassed that goal by eight times. Spirit and Opportunity continue to collect data on the geological composition of the planet, and scientists are planning even bolder adventures for the dynamic duo in the months ahead.

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As a matter of record at this time, Spirit has spent 738 sols on Mars and traveled some four miles, and Opportunity, at 718 sols, has traversed a bit more than four miles. …

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