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Mars Exploration Rover: Bottom of aeroshell
The aeroshell for Mars Exploration Rover 2 rests on end after rotation in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility.
February 4, 2003
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Mars Exploration Rover: Closed aeroshell
Suspended by an overhead crane in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) aeroshell is guided by workers as it moves to a rotation stand.
January 31, 2003
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Crane Lowers Aeroshell
In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility, an overhead crane lowers the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) aeroshell toward a rotation stand.
January 31, 2003
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Rover 2 Moved to Workstand
The Mars Exploration Rover-2 is moved to a workstand in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility.
January 28, 2003
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Mars Exploration Rover
One of two Mars Exploration Rovers sits inside its cruise stage waitingto undergo environmental testing at NASA's Jet PropulsionLaboratory.
December 5, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rover family photo
Members of the Mars Exploration Rovers Assembly, Test and Launch Operations team gather around Rover 2 and its predecessor, a flight spare of the Pathfinder mission's Sojourner rover, named Marie Curie.
November 8, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rovers: Rover 2 Driving Test
Rover 2 is driven over staggered ramps to test the suspension's range of motion.
November 7, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rovers Artist's Concept 3
NASA's twin robot geologists, the Mars Exploration Rovers, will launch toward Mars in 2003 in search of answers about the history of water on Mars. The rovers will be targeted to sites that appear to have been affected by liquid water in the past. They will drive to various locations to perform on-site scientific investigations over the course of their 90-day missions. This mission is part of NASA's long-term effort of robotic exploration of the red planet. For more information, please visit our website at: http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mer/
October 1, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rovers: Rover approaching a point of interest
Artist's concept of controlling the rover from Earth, scientists drive the rover along Mars' surface inspecting geological features.
October 1, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rovers Artist's Concept
An artist's concept portrays a NASA Mars Exploration Rover on the surface of Mars.
October 1, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rovers: Delta II Rocket Artwork
Stowed in the nose cone of this Delta II rocket, the Mars Exploration Rover blasts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It's destination: the planet Mars.
October 1, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rovers Artist's Concept 2
NASA's twin robot geologists, the Mars Exploration Rovers, will launch toward Mars in 2003 in search of answers about the history of water on Mars.
October 1, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rovers: Landing on the surface
Protected by large airbags, the lander falls away from the parachute, landing safely on Mars.
October 1, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rovers Rocket Fairings Artwork
The nose cone of the rocket separates during the launch phase and the Mars Exploration Rover is sent on a seven-month journey to Mars.
October 1, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rovers: Entering the Mars atmosphere
The aeroshell protects the rover from fiery temperatures as it enters the Martian atmosphere in January, 2004.
October 1, 2002
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Artwork of Mars Exploration Rover leaving lander
After bouncing to a stop, the lander's petals unfold and the Mars Exploration Rover drives onto the surface of Mars.
October 1, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rovers: Descent Artwork
With the parachute deployed, three retrorockets fire their engines, suspending the lander 30 - 50 feet above the Martian surface.
October 1, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rovers: Analyzing with RAT
Artist's concept of rover using the rock abrasion tool (RAT) on the robotic arm grinds away the rock's surface, allowing scientific instruments to analyze the rock's interior.
October 1, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rover Makes Progress: Cruise stage
In this photo, engineers are preparing the rover for vibration testing to ensure that it can undergo the rigors of launch and entry into the martian atmosphere. The rovers are scheduled to launch next spring and will arrive at Mars in January 2004.
September 24, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rovers: Rover 1 in cruise stage
The cruise stage provides power, communication and propulsion for the rover and lander within its cocoon made up of the heatshield and backshell for the cruise to Mars.
September 24, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rovers: Parachute test
Mars Exploration Rover parachute deployment testing in the world's largest wind tunnel at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, Calif.
September 24, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rovers: Rover 1 and lander
Rover 1 sits atop the deployed lander with its solar arrays and wheels stowed.
September 24, 2002
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Mars Exploration Rover: Rover 2 assembly
Rover 2 equipment deck, with solar arrays partially deployed, in JPL's Spacecraft Assembly Facility's cleanroom.
September 24, 2002
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Rover 1 and lander
A "Martian mechanic" checks beneath the completely deployed Rover 1 lander. Atop the lander is Rover 1 with its wheels and solar arrays in the stowed position.
September 24, 2002