NASA Approves 18 More Months For Mars Rovers

The twin Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, have had their mission extended by 18 months, spokespeople from NASA revealed yesterday. The two vehicles have been operating on the Martian surface for over 14 months already. This extension will give them almost three years of surveying and scanning the red planet. Dr. Ghassem Asrar, deputy associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, says: "The rovers have proven their value with major discoveries about ancient watery environments on Mars that might have harbored life. We are extending their mission through September 2006 to take advantage of having such capable resources still healthy and in an excellent position to continue their adventures." This is certainly good news for NASA when you consider some of the setbacks and cessation of funding scenarios they have gone through. The resilient rovers have been the one thing NASA has been able to hang their hat on lately. Murdok | Breaking eBusiness News Your source for investigative ebusiness reporting and breaking news.