🚗 Mars Rovers
Robots exploring another world — searching for clues to life beyond Earth.
Overview
NASA’s Mars rover missions have transformed our understanding of the Red Planet. Each rover was designed to explore the Martian landscape, analyze soil and rock samples, search for evidence of ancient water, and answer one profound question:
“Was Mars ever capable of supporting life?”
Rover Timeline
- 🤖 Sojourner (1997) — The first successful rover on Mars.
- 🛞 Spirit (2004–2011) — Found strong signs of ancient hot springs.
- ⚙️ Opportunity (2004–2018) — Confirmed ancient water environments.
- 🔬 Curiosity (2012–present) — Studying habitability and chemistry.
- 🪐 Perseverance (2021–present) — Searching for signs of ancient microbial life.
The Rovers
🧩 Sojourner (1997)
The pioneer — tested rover technologies.
🔥 Spirit (2004–2011)
Discovered volcanic and hydrothermal activity evidence.
🏅 Opportunity (2004–2018)
Operated 14 years — far exceeding its 90-day mission.
🧪 Curiosity (2012–present)
Looking for ancient habitability and complex chemistry.
🪐 Perseverance (2021–present)
Searching for fossilized microbial life — accompanied by Ingenuity helicopter, the first powered flight on another planet.