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NASA Mars Rover Opportunity Lifts Off

Posted by michael on from the lawn-dart dept.

Joost Schuur writes "At 11:18 PM EDT on Monday, Opportunity, the second of 2 NASA Mars Exploration Rovers took off aboard a Boeing Delta 2 Heavy rocket after several delays and begun its 305 million mile trip to the Red Planet, where it will join its sister vehicle Spirit, which launched June 10th. Spirit and Opportunity will land on opposite sides of Mars, travelling up to 40 meters a day, and use a series of instruments to search for water, including the Rock Abrasion Tool, which will grind into rocks to give scientists a peak inside. Things are going to get crowded next January in orbit, as both NASA missions join the European Mars Express mission also launched this month and the Japanese Nozomi probe, which would finally complete its troublesome 5 year journey. Those stuck on Earth can take advantage of the closest Mars opposition in 60,000 years and watch with a telescope, or follow the images provided by the International MarsWatch 2003 group."

8 of 155 comments (clear)

  1. Poor martians by kinnell · · Score: 4, Funny

    With all these alien robots landing and wandering around probing things, they'll think it's an invasion.

    --
    If I seem short sighted, it is because I stand on the shoulders of midgets
    1. Re:Poor martians by Surak · · Score: 3, Funny

      It isn't? Oh, right...it's a "preemptive strike". Sorry, Mr. Bush.

      --
      My journal has hot /. gossip.
    2. Re:Poor martians by leshert · · Score: 4, Funny

      In a recent appearance, the Martian information minister released the following statement:

      "There are no infidel alien robots on Mars! Never! We have already destroyed one of their stupid vehicles, and we have another one surrounded on all sides! Let the Earthlings bask in their own illusion! They have not landed, and those that have landed, we will welcome with bullets and shoes!"

  2. Probe Names by dcw3 · · Score: 5, Funny

    So, we've got Red Rover, I suppose we'll be sending Goofy to Pluto, and Lincoln to Mercury, Chevy to Saturn, and I'm afraid to ask what kind of probe well be using on Uranus.

    --
    Just another day in Paradise
  3. Just imagine the surprise... by scsirob · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... if one of those rocks they drill in turns around, screems "OOUUCH!!" and hits back...

    --
    To Terminate, or not to Terminate, that's the question - SCSIROB
  4. Don't Disturb The Natives! by Josuah · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sounds like these rovers are going to do some "damage" to the habitat of those Martians. Is that such a good idea? Grinding into so-called "rocks". Trampling around on big wheels. All going, "Show me the water!" and "Take that, dust-particle sized life-form!" I think we're in for some heavy retaliation. Me, under the bed sounds like a good place right now.

  5. Re:good to see nasa doing some serious science by dylan_- · · Score: 4, Funny
    Atlantis? What happened to Atlantis?
    Their entire civilisation was destroyed by a flood, which is pretty disasterous by any reckoning! I'm surprised you hadn't heard about it...
    --
    Igor Presnyakov stole my hat
  6. Please tell me..... by JaJ_D · · Score: 4, Funny

    ....they have picked between metric and/or imperial to give measurements in so they don't park the thing at high velocity into Mars.

    Remeber...... Faster, Better, Cheaper

    Please delete as applicable.