// deep space · 2003

Spirit

Former NASA Mars rover. Spirit was launched on June 10, 2003 aboard a Delta 7925-9.5 from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: left for deep space attached to another object (Jun 11, 2003).

COSPAR 2003-027ANORAD 27827United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: Spirit Rover
Common name: Spirit
Payload designation: Mars Exploration Rover 2
Other names: MER-A
International designator: 2003-027A
NORAD catalog number: 27827
GCAT identifier: S27827
UN registration: ST/SG/SER.E/429

Mission

Mission type: Deep space
Use: Civil government
Program: Mars Program
Owner: JPL
Country: United States
Builder: Jet Propulsion Lab
Platform (bus): MPF

Launch

Date: June 10, 2003 · 17:58 UTC
Launch record: 2003-027Success
Rocket: Delta 7925-9.5
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad SLC17A

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): EEO
Perigee: 185 km
Inclination: 28.46°
Status: Left for deep space attached to another object
Status date: June 11, 2003
Last known active: August 2006
End of operations: Mar 30, 2010

Size

Mass: 174 kg
Dry mass: 174 kg
Total mass with attached objects: 1,064 kg
Length: 1.4 m
Diameter: 1.00 m
Span: 1.4 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry: D00807
Final central body: Mars
Phase start: December 30, 2003
Phase outcome: Landed attached to another object · January 4, 2004
Destination: Mars

Flight phases

From	Central body	Ended	Outcome	Next
Jun 11, 2003	Earth	Jun 16, 2003	Escaped to another body, attached	HCO
Jan 4, 2004	Mars	Jan 15, 2004	Deployed	—
Jan 15, 2004	Mars	Mar 22, 2010	Stopped transmitting on the surface	—

Landings and impacts

World	Type	Result	Touchdown	Site	Coordinates
Mars	Rover	Landed and operated	Jan 4, 2004	—	-14.57, 175.48

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q176276 (CC0).