12th Anniversary in red planet touch down

NASA’s world famous Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity continues blazing a daily trail of unprecedented science first’s, still swinging her robotic arm healthy into action at a Martian “Mining Zone” on the 12th anniversary of her hair-raising Red Planet touchdown this week, a top rover scientist told Universe Today. Read more and photo caption..

“Looks like a mining zone!” Opportunity Deputy Principal Investigator Ray Arvidson, of Washington University in St. Louis, explained to Universe Today. On Jan. 24 the rover marked 4267 Sols and 12 years and counting exploring Mars.

Digging in on Mars! How Astronauts Will Survive and Thrive on the Red Planet

Digging in on Mars! How Astronauts Will Survive and Thrive on the Red Planet

Artist's concept: One small step on the Red Planet, with many footfalls to follow.

The leap to Mars will require technological advances in a number of areas, including the ability to extract and exploit native Red Planet resources.

Human exploration of the Red Planet will depend on an evolving suite of vehicles, and also life-sustaining technologies that make use of local resources.