Exactly on January 4, 2004, an extraordinary era of Mars exploration began. It was then that Spirit, the first of the two Mars rovers, landed in the Gusev Crater on this distant planet. Three weeks later, on January 25, Opportunity joined Spirit, landing on the Meridiani Planum plain. These were groundbreaking moments for scientists and space enthusiasts worldwide.
Since then, much has changed. Over the past two decades, six rovers have landed on Mars, but only Spirit and Opportunity are still functioning. Both have conducted numerous experiments, studies, and transmitted incredible photos from the red planet. For many years, they were our eyes and ears on Mars.
However, not everything went according to plan. The rovers encountered various technical problems, but despite that, their missions far exceeded the expected 90 days. For several years, they witnessed different atmospheric phenomena and studied the Martian surface, which suggested that liquid water must have sporadically existed on this planet.
Unfortunately, the fate of these rovers was sealed due to a power issue. The dust-covered their solar panels over time, resulting in a decline in their efficiency. Spirit ceased operation after 6 years, and Opportunity ended its mission due to a Martian dust storm in 2018.
Nevertheless, their legacy and contribution to Mars research are unforgettable. Currently, the rovers Curiosity and Perseverance are operating on Mars, successfully continuing the exploration of this fascinating planet.
The 20th anniversary of the Spirit and Opportunity landings is a perfect occasion to thank these incredible machines for their work and discoveries. Thanks to them, we perceive Mars in an entirely different way. In the future, we can expect even more advanced rovers that will explore Mars and provide us with new information.
FAQ
What are the names of the Mars rovers?
The first Mars rover was Sojourner. Spirit and Opportunity were the subsequent rovers sent to the Red Planet. Currently, the rovers Curiosity and Perseverance are operating on Mars.
What does “Martian dust storm” mean?
A Martian dust storm is an atmospheric phenomenon in which the wind carrying dust on Mars causes strong, and potentially even global, dust storms that can hinder the operation of rovers and other missions on the planet.
Source: NASA – https://www.nasa.gov/
The source of the article is from the blog girabetim.com.br