Mars images show rover perched on crater (CNN/JPL)

[eppur_se_muova]

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) --
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NASA has just released photos taken from above the planet by the spacecraft Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, showing the rover Opportunity perched next to the enormous Victoria Crater. Four or five football stadiums could fit inside the crater.
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The images were taken from about 170 miles above the Martian surface, revealing information about the sedimentary layering of the planet.
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Few scientists imagined the two robots would still be gathering information. The robots, about the size of motorized golf carts, have continued to function, 10 times longer than expected.

"Today is day 960 of Opportunity's 90-day mission to Mars," said Steve Squyres from Cornell University.
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"The thing we've always got to keep in mind is these vehicles are 10 times past their warranty. This vehicle could die at any moment. We have no guarantee it's going to last. We are going have to use this thing aggressively. We are not going to do a leisurely tour along the rim of this crater because our days are numbered," said Squyres.
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more: http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/10/06/victoriaimages/index.html

A bonanza of images (many in red/blue stereo) at: http://marsrovers.nasa.gov/gallery/press/opportunity/20061006a.html

[SaveElmer]

1. Yeah I have been looking at these all day...Unbelievable...

The resolution on that orbiting camera is astonishing!!!

And the pictures coming from Opportunity are the best yet in my opinion!!!

[rodeodance]

2. I imagine that it is Assturd!

[Parche]

8. assturd

No that is a Hassturd, its perched on Hasterts A$$!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Auggie]

3. Just goes to show America CAN build a reliable vehicle...

[HereSince1628]

6. also goes to show satellite photo reconaissance ability.

the rover isn't all that big...about the size of a card table, right?

[eppur_se_muova]

10. About that size. The aeroshell is about as large as a dinner table.

The top of the pan camera mast is about 5 ft from the ground:


Some spysats are multiton monsters as big as school buses ... with room for much bigger, more complex optics ...

[TlalocW]

4. Have they gotten any images of

Decepticons?

TlalocW

[Tin Man]

5. Cool - thanks!

:)

[ovidsen]

7. Thank you!!!

Those pics (and the links) just boggle the mind!!

[Ian David]

9. I see a mobile bio-weapons lab!

I hear Bush just gave Richard Hoagland a recess appointment as NASA's head of Imagery.

(Waiting to see who gets it).

[drm604]

11. I got it.

Richard Hoagland is the "face on mars" goofball.