On This Day in Space History

A CHRONICLE OF SPACEFLIGHT

THE SPACE RACE · THE SHUTTLE ERA · ROBOTIC EXPLORATION · 1957–PRESENT

Welcome to On This Day A daily chronicle of humanity in space — the launches, landings, spacewalks, and firsts that mark the space age. Start here. Read the welcome →
January 4
Mars Exploration Rover
Mission
Mars Exploration Rover
Series
NASA
Venue
Gusev Crater, Mars
Date
January 4, 2004
Agency
NASA
Nickname
Mars rover Spirit lands on Mars
Crew
Steve Squyres

Mars rover Spirit lands on Mars

NASA's Spirit rover bounced to a landing in Gusev Crater using airbags, beginning a mission that would far outlast its planned 90 days. Along with its twin Opportunity, Spirit found strong evidence that liquid water once existed on the Martian surface.

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