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Mars Rovers' Mission Extended by 18 Months
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=CB24D9:2AB91D3

NASA says solar-powered rovers, named Spirit and Opportunity, will
continue to function well long past their planned lifetime





Mars rover SpiritThe U.S. space agency has extended the mission of the
twin robotic Mars rovers by up to 18 months.

NASA says the solar-powered rovers, named Spirit and Opportunity,
continue to function well - long past their planned lifetime.

The twin rovers have explored the red planet's terrain since January
2004. Among other findings, they discovered evidence that the dusty,
rocky planet once had water.







Spirit captures two dust devils on the moveThis is the third extension
of the mission, originally slated to last only three months.

The space agency says Opportunity has covered almost five kilometers
of terrain, while Spirit is climbing a rocky Martian slope.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.


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