The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity by Elizabeth Rusch

The Mighty Mars Rovers: The Incredible Adventures of Spirit and Opportunity by Elizabeth Rusch

The Mighty Mars Rovers tells the greatest space robot adventure of all time--one of the most successful space explorations ever undertaken.

On June 10, 2003, a little rover named Spirit blasted off on a rocket headed for Mars. A month later, a twin rover named Opportunity soared through the solar system with the same mission: to find out if Mars ever had water that could have supported life. They were expected to last no more than three months on the frigid, harsh planet. Instead, they explored the red planet for years.

Packed with full-color photos, this 80-page book is a thrilling addition to the acclaimed Scientists in the Field series, told through the eyes--and heart--of Steven Squyres, the lead scientist on the mission.

This suspenseful page-turner captures the hair-raising human emotions felt during the adventures with two tough rovers.

Elizabeth Rusch, an award-winning freelance writer, has over a hundred essays published in journals such as Muse, Smithsonian, and Mother Jones. She is the author of several award-winning children's nonfiction books, including Generation Fix and Will it Blow? Elizabeth resides in Portland, Oregon, with her family, and this is her debut book for Houghton Mifflin. Liz keeps a four-inch-high scale model rover next to her computer as a source of inspiration while writing this book. Spirit and Opportunity have been roving Mars for more than six years, and the model rover has tipped over and broken so many times that she can't believe they've survived. Liz's website address is www.elizabethrusch.com.