June 10, 2011 When NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity
reaches the rim of a large crater it is approaching, its arrival
will come with an inspiring reminder. This crater, Endeavour,
became the rover's long-term destination nearly three years ago.
Opportunity has driven about 11 miles (18 kilometers) since
climbing out of Victoria crater in August 2008, with Endeavour
crater beckoning to the southeast. The rover has about 2 miles
(about 3 kilometers) to go before reaching the rim of Endeavour.
Rover team members last week selected "Spirit Point" as the
informal name for the site on the rim where Opportunity will
arrive at Endeavour crater. The choice commemorates
Opportunity's rover twin, Spirit, which has ended communication
and finished its mission. "Spirit achieved far more than we ever
could have hoped when we designed her," said Steve Squyres of
Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., principal investigator for the
rovers. "This name will be a reminder that we need to keep
pushing as hard as we can to mak