2003-027 Success

Delta II | Spirit Rover

Jun 10, 2003, 05:58 PM UTC

Track in KeepTrack

Launch Overview

Vehicle

Delta 7925-9.5

Agency

United States Air Force

Site / Pad

CC / SLC17A

Outcome

Success

Flight

D298

COSPAR Designator

2003-027

Mission

Spirit Rover (Planetary Science)

Spirit, also known as MER-A, is a robotic rover on Mars, active from 2004 to 2010. It landed successfully within the impact crater Gusev on Mars at 04:35 Ground UTC on January 4, 2004, three weeks before its twin, Opportunity (MER-B), which landed on the other side of the planet. The rover became stuck in a "sand trap" in late 2009 at an angle that hampered recharging of its batteries; its last communication with Earth was sent on March 22, 2010.

Vehicle & Provider

Rocket

Delta II 7925-9.5

Provider

United States Air Force

Agency launches

1051 (7 YTD)

Site launches

611 (7 YTD)

Pad launches

133 (2 YTD)

Payloads (2)

Piece Name Owner State Track
2003-027 MER-2 Lander JPL US
2003-027A Mars Exploration Rover 2 JPL US Track