Twin Rovers Headed for Mars |Tweet|Twin Rovers Headed for Mars
NASA today announced plans to launch two large scientific rovers
to the red planet in 2003. August 10, 2000 -- The traffic on
Mars is expected to double in the near future. NASA today
announced plans to launch two large scientific rovers to the red
planet in 2003, rather than the original plan for just one, said
Dr. Ed Weiler, Associate Administrator for Space Science, NASA
Headquarters, Both Mars rovers, to be built, managed and
operated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.,
currently are planned for launch on Delta II rockets from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The first mission is targeted
for May 22, with the second launch slated for June 4. After a
seven-and-a- half month cruise, the first rover should enter
Mars' atmosphere January 2, 2004, with the second rover bouncing
to a stop on the Martian surface January 20. Above: This image
is a single frame from a striking video of the planned Mars 2003
rover mission. [more