In taking a first look at images, Squyres said that Spirits final resting spot shows it near distinctive patterns of impact craters. "It looks to be tailor made for our vehicle. We see rocks. We see enough rocks that we can do great science with themnot so many that they are going to get in our way," he said.
"Im looking forward to some good driving in the weeks and months ahead," Squyres said. The site is ideally suited for Spirits suite of instruments, he said.
First impressions of the landing site, Squyres said, are that Gusev, indeed, looks like a dry lakebed. He offered cautious optimism that the robot geologist may well find sediments.
Sedimentary rocks would do a wonderful job of preserving the evidence of what the conditions were like in this area long ago, Squyres said. "Our robot detectives are itching to get to work and try and answer that question."
Jennifer Trosper, Spirit Mission Manager for Surface Operations, said the state of the landed rover is excellent. "The solar arrays are out and the batteries are fully charged. We are ready to go," she said.
Over the next days, scientists and engineers will begin charting the rovers maiden voyage of exploration across Mars. Also on tap is checking out the health of Spirits array of instruments. The craft underwent multiple jolts during its airbag-protected landing.
"It has been unreal," said Richard Cook, JPL Deputy Project Manager for the Mars Exploration Rover program. "Weve got a really amazing machine on Mars."
Waiting for the first picture from the surface of Gusev Crater was a particularly nervous and emotional time for Nathalie Cabrol, a planetary scientist with the SETI Institute and works at NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California. She has studied Gusev for years, making extensive use of orbital imagery and other scientific data about the locale.
This image taken by the hazard avoidance camera on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit shows the rover's rear lander petal and, in the background, the Martian horizon. Spirit took the picture right after successfully landing on the surface of Mars Image credit:NASA/JPL
"There is plenty of science to do," Cabrol told SPACE.com . "Its like corresponding with somebody for 15 years through mail, and having the chance to see them in person. You dont know what you are expecting. You have a mental picturebut this is beautiful."
"To tell you the truth Ive been speechless for most of the evening. Because me being speechless about Gusevthat should tell you something," Cabrol said.
Mars Rovers: Complete Coverage
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