PIA05877: Spirit Takes the Helm
 Target Name:  Mars
 Is a satellite of:  Sol (our sun)
 Mission:  Mars Exploration Rover (MER)
 Spacecraft:  Spirit
 Instrument:  Hazcam
 Product Size:  512 x 512 pixels (w x h)
 Produced By:  JPL

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Original Caption Released with Image:

This animation shows Spirit driving itself through the rocky terrain of Gusev Crater on sol 118 (May 8, 2004) using its auto-navigation software. Halfway through the drive, the rover spotted a rock bigger than its wheels (25 centimeters or 9.8 inches) and drove around to the left. At the end of its traverse, Spirit encountered several more large rocks, but since they were less than half its wheel height (12 centimeters or 4.7 inches tall), it drove right over them. The total distance traveled was 92.7 meters (304 feet) -- Spirit's longest drive yet. Over half the drive (55 meters or 180 feet) was executed using the auto-navigation software.

Image Credit:
NASA/JPL/Cornell/USGS

Image Addition Date:
2004-05-11