Five Years Roving Mars: Results and Status of Spirit and Opportunity

Larry Crumpler

The Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity have been exploring Mars for more than five Earth years and have survived three Martian winters. Both rovers have traversed several kilometers over the Martian surface and have made exploratory observations and detailed analyses like a pair of 19th century naturalists exploring a new world. During that time many of us on the Mars Exploration Rover Science Team have been involved in nearly daily surface operations. We have each walked on Mars, have seen some strange things, and have examined outcrops that have changed our perspective on the fourth planet. I will attempt to summarize some small part of the excitement, adventure, and discovery that has occurred and is still taking place, including the latest downlink from Mars.

Larry Crumpler has been a member of the Science Team for the Mars exploration rovers from prior to their launch to the present, has walked across Mars with both rovers, and is Long Term Planning Lead on Spirit responsible for organizing strategic science planning activities. He is also on the Science Team of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (MRO/HiRISE). His combination of research interests are perfect for this mission: planetary science, terrestrial field geology, and New Mexico volcanology.