NASA's 9th year on mars with Rover

NASA's 9th year on mars with Rover

Reference- http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/news/mer20120124.html

Summary- For what was supposed to be a three month mission, Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has been on Mars since 2004, and has a new mission today. But starting back in 2004, the rover landed in Eagle Crater where it discovered proof of an ancient wet environment. Then in 2008, Opportunity was driven into the Endeavour Crater, and for 3 years explored that crater until it got access to geological deposits from a previous time of Martian history. Since 2011, Opportunity has been at the rim of Endeavour, a segment known as Cape York, and found traces of high zinc content, which suggests the presence of water. Later, a hydrated calcium sulfate was identified, proving evidence of liquid water on Mars. Today, the rover is on an outcrop called Greeley Haven until the middle of the year to stay during the Martian winter. The next mission is to lead the rover to find clay minerals that have been indicated to be on the rim.

Critique- With the evidence that this rover and previous ones have collected, I think that the US is a step closer to achieving more and more on Mars.

Impact- I think that this new mission for the rover Opportunity will be of high interest in the future. New technology could lead the US to benefit from material on Mars.