Whatever happened to the Mars rovers?

[Loren Booda]

Did they fall off the edge of the world? :surprise:

 

[TALewis]

NASA's Mars Rover website updated daily:

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov

Summary: Both rovers are healthy and active on Mars. They have both completed their primary missions and are now running on extended mission time that could last to September (I think). Opportunity is credited with discovering direct evidence of surface water on Mars in the past.

 

[Phobos]

The media excitement has certainly died down, but both rovers are still operational, as TALewis said.

 

[pelastration]

Interesting photo: new stuff for talks.
Now a "pot of gold" like NASA called it?

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/spirit/20040615a/SolA_158_P2594_L257_br.jpg

 

[Phobos]

rover's current status...

Spirit - Exploring the Gusev Crater region (likely dry lake bed). Having minor trouble with one of its 6 wheels.

Opportunity - Just entered a 490-ft wide & 66-ft deep crater called Endurance to examine stratified rock layers (clues about the geologic history of Mars). It's unclear if it can get out of the crater again, but that's just "being stuck in the candy store" according to mission scientists.