Blog Archive

Mars Exploration Rovers Update: Spirit Mission Declared Over, Opportunity Roves Closer to Endeavour

Posted by A.J.S. Rayl on 2011/05/31 12:00 CDT

The Mars Exploration mission suffered the loss of Spirit and shifted to one-rover operations in May, but Opportunity carried on, blasting across the plains of Meridiani to within 2 miles (3.5 kilometers) of its next major destination and discovery.

What's up in the solar system in June 2011

Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2011/05/31 08:06 CDT

What's up in the solar system in June 2011

Dawn artist's concept orbiting asteroid Vesta

Dawn Journal: Vesta to choose Dawn's arrival time

Posted by Marc Rayman on 2011/05/30 12:52 CDT

Dawn Journal: Vesta to choose Dawn's arrival time

Curiosity artist's concept on Mars Chemcam laser

Zapping Rocks for Science

Posted by Ryan Anderson on 2011/05/27 09:01 CDT

Laser beams and space exploration are perfect for each other, and not just because all self-respecting starship captains know their way around a blaster. It turns out that zapping rocks with a laser is not only fun, it also can tell you what they're made of!

Mars Exploration Rovers Update: NASA Ends Spirit Mission

Posted by A.J.S. Rayl on 2011/05/26 12:00 CDT

The intensified effort to recover Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Spirit came to an end early Wednesday morning Pacific time and NASA has now transitioned the mission to a single-rover operation focused on Spirit's still-active twin, Opportunity.