Mars Rover Adjusts After Storm

On Jan. 17, scientists from Cornell’s astronomy department moved the Mars Exploration Rover, Spirit, toward the sun after a dust storm last summer covered its solar panels, making it more difficult for the Rover to access energy. Both Spirit and the other rover, Opportunity, have had to function on low power since the storm.

Opportunity and Spirit have lasted much longer than the originally planned 90-day mission. However, after making many discoveries and functioning for more than 1,450 days, the rovers have been through their share of wear and tear.