Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology Follow this link to skip to the main content
Images
Press Release Images
Spirit
Opportunity
All Raw Images
Spirit
Opportunity
Panoramas
Spirit
Opportunity
3-D Images
Spirit
Opportunity
Spacecraft
Mars Artwork
Landing Sites
Press Release Images: Spirit
06-Jan-2004
Mars Mania Lands Online
Full Press Release
First Color Image from Spirit
First Color Image from Spirit

This is the first color image of Mars taken by the panoramic camera on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit. It is the highest resolution image ever taken on the surface of another planet.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell
Browse Image (59 kB) | Large (8.05 MB)
Windtails Show Direction of Martian Winds
Windtails Show Direction of Martian Winds

This image highlights streaks or tails of loose debris in the martian soil, which reveal the direction of prevailing winds. The picture was taken by the panoramic camera on Mars Exploration Rover Spirit.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell
Browse Image (49 kB) | Large (992 kB)
Wind-polished rocks
Wind-polished rocks

The smooth surfaces of angular and rounded rocks seen in this image of the martian terrain may have been polished by wind-blown debris. The picture was taken by the panoramic camera on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell
Browse Image (38 kB) | Large (264 kB)
Spirit's Airbags Leave Trail
Spirit's Airbags Leave Trail

This image shows marks in the martian soil (upper right) made by the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit's airbags during their final deflation and retraction. The picture was taken by the panoramic camera on the rover.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell
Browse Image (33 kB) | Large (229 kB)
In Full Bloom
In Full Bloom

The airbags are fully inflated in this photograph taken at the JPL In-Situ Instrument Laboratory or "Testbed," where engineers simulated the orientation of the airbags during the deflation process. The airbags had to be inflated seconds before landing on Mars' surface and deflated once safely on the ground.

Image credit: NASA/JPL
Browse Image (44 kB) | Large (321 kB)
Out of Gas
Out of Gas

This image shows the airbags in deflated position at the JPL In-Situ Instrument Laboratory, where engineers did some tests on the airbags to ensure a safe landing on Mars.

Image credit: NASA/JPL
Browse Image (53 kB) | Large (339 kB)
Airbag Retraction
Airbag Retraction

This image shows the deflated airbags retracted underneath the lander petal at the JPL In-Situ Instrument Laboratory. Retracting the airbags helps clear the path for the rover to roll off the lander and onto the martian surface.

Image credit: NASA/JPL
Browse Image (50 kB) | Large (339 kB)
Airbag Deflates on Mars
Airbag Deflates on Mars

This image, taken by the navigation camera onboard the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit, shows the airbags used to protect the rover during landing. One bright, dust-covered bag is slightly puffed up against the lander.

Image credit: NASA/JPL
Browse Image (49 kB) | Large (160 kB)
Martian Horizon
Martian Horizon

This is a portion of the first color image captured by the panoramic camera on the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit.

Image credit: NASA/JPL/Cornell
Browse Image (48 kB) | Large (1 MB)

JPL Image Use Policy

USA.gov
PRIVACY   I   IMAGE POLICY   I   FAQ   I   SITEMAP   I   CREDITS