Destination: Mars

The twin NASA rovers’ principal investigator saw the planet as a new frontier for geology.

Jan. 8, 2004

Early stereoscopic and 3-D images awe viewers. A 30-foot crater in the distance shows promise as a ‘window’ into the Red Planet’s interior.

Jan. 6, 2004

NASA’s Spirit rover completed its first full day on Mars Sunday, sending back black-and-white pictures of its Gusev Crater landing site, the first of a stream of images that are eventually expected to reveal the Martian surface in unprecedented detail.

Jan. 5, 2004

Project chief Peter C. Theisinger keeps his feet on the ground despite strain of space journeys.

Jan. 5, 2004

The drivers of the Opportunity rover, a 400-pound robot sent to scour the Martian surface for signs of water, have been navigating the Red Planet without much fanfare.

Aug. 17, 2012

Insulation problems on the rocket that will take the craft to space have held up liftoff.

June 24, 2003

NASA mission hopes to finally answer whether the Red Planet was ever hospitable to life.

June 6, 2003

NASA’s launching of ‘robot geologists’ pits cautious engineers against eager scientists.

March 2, 2003

Opportunity uncovers rocks stuck together. Spirit stirs up sticky substance at top layer.

Feb. 20, 2004