NASA Missions
Mars Exploration Rovers
Name of organisation
Dates of discoveries
There are three Mars rovers Curiosity, Spirit and Opportunity. They were designed to study the history of climate and water at sites on Mars where there may have been life
Curiosity:
Curiosity was launched on 10:02 a.m. Eastern Standard Time November 26 2011 and landed 1:32 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, August 6, 2012.
Spirit:
Spirit was launched June 10 2003 1:58pm Eastern Daylight Time.Spirit explored for years beyond it's original 92 day mission. During this time it uncovered strong evidence that Mars was wetter than it is now, by a silica patch apparently created by hot springs or steam vents. It also captured movies of dust devils so scientists have a better understanding Martian winds. All though on the 25th of March 2011 Spirit's mission was declared complete and had been silent since March 2010.
Opportunity:
Opportunity, the second of two rovers that was launched July 07, 2003 and landed January 25, 2004.
Technologies used of the time
Each rover contains a Panoramic Camera, Miniature Thermal Emission Spetromer, Alpha Particle X-Ray, Magnets, Microscopic Imager and a Rock Abrasion Tool
What contribution they made to our knowledge and understanding of the solar system
The Mars Exploration Rovers returned results that transformed our understanding of Mars and whether there really is life on it .