The Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, launched in the summer of 2003. Now, more than six years later, the two robot geologists are still running and collecting data on Mars, though their missions were originally expected to last only 90 days each.

Like many Mars missions in the past, the goal is to “follow the water”, said Raymond Arvidson, professor of earth and planetary sciences at Washington University. Arvidson serves as the deputy principal investigator for the Spirit and Opportunity rovers in NASA’s Mars Exploration Program.

Data collected by the two rovers have provided clear evidence to support the theory that there was once water present on the surface of Mars.

Because water is a strong indicator of life on Earth, researchers propose that water could have bred life on Mars.

Since May, however, Spirit has encountered unforeseen difficulties—or what Arvidson describes as being “mobility impaired.” One of its four wheels is entrenched in a sand-like volcanic silt.

Arvidson has been working with engineers at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., to resolve this issue. The process will involve addressing other problems in the mission, too. So many issues exist that Arvidson refers to the scenario as “Murphy’s Law on steroids”—a scientific version of the philosophy that if something can go wrong, it will.

Despite these difficulties, Arvidson said he expects that Spirit will regain its mobility by the beginning of November.

Even in its immobility, Spirit has been collecting data the entire time.

“[It is] scientifically a great place to be mobility impaired,” Arvidson said.

Minerals found by Spirit have led the scientific team to the conclusion that there was once water at the location.

“I am ready to leave, but the measurements here have been very fruitful,” Arvidson said.

Opportunity has also been following the water trail.

The rover is currently situated against a half-ton meteorite composed of iron and nickel.

Scientists are currently studying weathering on the meteorite. If the iron in the meteorite has oxidized, it will signify the presence of water.

Since landing, Opportunity has been roving in an area full of lake sediments—also a sign that there was at one time water present in the area.

Following data collection at the meteorite, Opportunity will continue on in the search for evidence of water. This research, according to Arvidson, is the gateway to the next phase of Mars exploration: the quest for life on the Red Planet.

As for the possibility that life once existed on Mars, Arvidson believes it likely did.

“It’s just such a rich place,” he said.

Arvidson is aided by a team of scientists that includes five undergraduates. Much of the analysis and cataloging of data from the mission have been completed here at the University.

With news of the Mars rovers circulating in the media, students on campus have found themselves impressed by the mission and the role that the University has played in it.

“I think that space exploration is a field that deserves a lot more attention than it has been given,” junior Sam Sullivan said. “I am glad that Wash. U. is at the forefront of this research.”

Others, such as sophomore Bobby Sutter, praised the University for its involvement in such a groundbreaking project.

“It is great to see that the research at Wash. U. can have a great effect outside of Wash. U. and across the scientific community,” Sutter said.

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Tags: Arvidson, mars, Mars Rover, Opportunity, Spirit

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