Mars Exploration Rovers

Mars Exploration Rovers (MER) are a pair of robotic vehicles that were sent to Mars in 2003 to study the planet's geology and search for signs of past water activity. The rovers, named Spirit and Opportunity, were designed to operate for 90 Martian days (sols) but both exceeded their planned mission lifetimes by many years. The rovers were equipped with a suite of scientific instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and a rock abrasion tool, which allowed them to analyze the composition and texture of Martian rocks and soil. The rovers also served as mobile geologic field stations, allowing scientists to explore a wide range of terrain on the Martian surface. The MER mission was a major success, providing valuable insights into the geologic history of Mars and paving the way for future robotic and human exploration of the planet.
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