Spirit:
Spirit is the first of the twin Mars Exploration Rovers to reach Mars in January 2004. Its robotic twin - Opportunity - landed on the opposite side of the planet.

The big science question for both rovers is how past water activity on Mars has influenced the Red Planet's environment over time. While there is no liquid water on the surface of Mars today, the record of past water activity on Mars can be found in the rocks, minerals, and geologic landforms, particularly in those that can only form in the presence of water.

Read more about Spirit

Visit the Spirit Website

06.10.03:  Launch (13:58 EDT) 01.03.04:  Mars Landing (8:35 PM PST) Status:  Extended Mission on Mars Show All Dates for Spirit		03.12.08:  Women Drivers on Mars 03.03.08:  Tenacious Rover Just Might Make It 12.10.07:  Rover Investigates Signs of Steamy Martian Past More Headlines
Spirit traveled about 500 million kilometers (311 million miles) on its journey to Mars. A day - or sol - on Mars is 24 hours, 39 min, 35 sec (1.027 Earth days). Spirit is expected to operate for at least 91 sols on Mars. Spirit carried a memorial (above) to the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia to the surface of Mars.		Solar System Bodies: Mars Spirit Multimedia Gallery Mars Exploration Program Athena: Cornell Mars Rovers Website Mars Exploration Rovers Press Kit (June 2003)