Spirit (rover)

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/spirit-rover

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the rover identification?MER-A (Mars Exploration Rover – A) / MER-2
2. What is the primary landing zone?Gusev Crater, Mars
3. What was the Spirit rover and why was it special?Spirit was a NASA robot that landed on Mars in 2004 and explored the planet for more than six years, far longer than the planned 90 days. It sent back many pictures and data that helped scientists learn about Mars.
4. How did Spirit get its name?Students from all over the world wrote essays, and the winning name was chosen by NASA. The name "Spirit" shows how people hope to discover new things.

Regolith: A layer of loose, heterogeneous superficial deposits covering solid rock, including dust, soil, and broken rock fragments.
Photovoltaic Arrays: Solar panels that convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect.
Habitability: The potential of an environment to support life, particularly microbial life, based on factors like the presence of water and suitable chemical elements.