The Holiday Spirit Is On Mars

MARSDAILY

Spirit Ain't Taking No Holiday As First Birthday Approaches

nearly a year old

Pasadena CA (JPL) Dec 08, 2004
During the 19 sols ending on sol 325 (Dec. 1), Spirit continued to explore in the "Columbia Hills." Spirit reached a position northeast of a ridge called "Machu Picchu" and began crossing a 200-meter-wide (656-foot-wide) flat saddle area.

The amount of electric current drawn by the motor of the right front wheel continues to be a concern. However, during a recent drive the current draw was closer to normal than it had been in preceding weeks.

Engineers will continue to limit use of this wheel by driving backwards when terrain allows, dragging it 90 percent of the time.

Between sols 306 and 325, Spirit finished shooting a Thanksgiving panorama with the panoramic camera; investigated new rock targets "Corn," "Cocomama," and "Butter" with the science instruments; and continued to drive eastward between the "West Spur" and an area where the terrain slopes back upward toward "Husband Hill."

Spirit successfully completed about 80 meters (262 feet) of driving, bringing the total mission traverse to 3.82 kilometers (2.37 miles).

MARSDAILY

Spirit's Mars Reads Like a Mystery Novel

Moffett Filed CA (SPX) Dec 03, 2004
The rovers Spirit and Opportunity have been exploring the surface of Mars for nearly a year. Among their many discoveries, the rovers have found evidence that liquid water probably once existed on the surface of the red planet.