Spirit Lands on Mars Jan. 4

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 4, 2004) — Comments from Space Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Elliot G. Pulham Hats off to NASA for today’s successful landing of the first of its twin Mars Rovers, “Spirit.” Both the “Spirit” and “Opportunity” Rovers are larger, more mobile and better equipped than the 1997 Mars Pathfinder Rover. The rovers are identical, but will explore different regions of the red planet. “Spirit” carries a sophisticated set of instruments to search for evidence about whether past environments at selected sites were wet enough to be hospitable to life. Without risk there is no reward. This reason alone gives this mission merit. And the new discoveries bring us one step closer to the first manned Mars mission. This success was not only an important one for NASA, but also for the future of mankind. For more information on the mission, visit marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov.