Latest Thira Stories

NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is poised to reach the rim of a large crater, beginning a new phase of research for the rover. Opportunity drove out of Victoria crater in August 2008, and now only 2 miles stand in its way of driving out of Endeavour crater.NASA selected "Spirit Point" as an informal name for the site on the rim where Opportunity will arrive at the Endeavour crater. The choice commemorates Opportunity's rover twin, Spirit, which ended communication and...

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...

NASA said on Tuesday that it is calling it quits on trying to revive its Mars rover Spirit. The rover has been incommunicado for over a year despite daily calls by NASA.  The reason for Spirit's silence may never be known, but the space agency said it is likely the Martian winter damaged its electronics, preventing the six-wheel rover from waking up. NASA tried every trick to listen for Spirit, but project manager John Callas of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory said the last commands will...

JPL -- NASA's Spirit rover found a new class of water-affected rock, while its twin, Opportunity, finished inspecting its own heat shield and set a new martian driving record. The rovers successfully completed their three-month primary missions in April 2004 and are working on extended exploration missions. "This is probably the most interesting and important rock Spirit has examined," said Dr. Steve Squyres of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., principal investigator for the rovers....