8/8/2019 What on Earth is a Mars Rover

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Mars RoversSmall motorized vehiclePropels itself across theplanets surface searchingfor various points ofinterest.

Photo taken by Spirit of Mars

surface

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Solar Panels ² The rovers are powered byenergy from the sun.Suspension ² Rovers are durable and capableof overcoming many obstacles.Cameras ² Spirit and Opportunity (most recentrovers launched) were equipped with nine

camera for attaining different shots of Martianterrain.Antennas ² For communication with MarsOdyssey or directly to earth.

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Six WheelsLow-Gain and High-Gain Antennas

1.5m X 2.3m X 1.6mHigh tech computerMicroscopeRock abrasion toolSpectrometersMagnets

Artist·s computer rendition of Spirit

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Cu riosity is the new and upcoming rover thatis set to be launched in 2012.It will comparable to the size of a mini cooperand weigh roughly 2 tons.Improvements include the ability to travel at300 ft/sec (recent models could travel at a max

speed of 10 ft/sec), powering by radioactivedecay, and also has two computers on board incase of failure, the second computer will takeover.

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N ASA Researchers are hoping that Cu riositywill be able to determine if Mars has in the pastsustained life and if it will indeed in the futurebe able to sustain life.It is equipped an X-ray machine to delvebeneath the surface to finds signs of waterand/or past life.

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With the efforts of the NASA researchers and

Mars Rover Teams, we will continue to garner information from Mars as to the planet itself and possibly continue learning more about our planet through discoveries on Martian terrain.