Question

What substance were the first two Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity programed to search for?

Answer 1

Answer:

Spirit and Opportunity were sent to Mars to find more clues about the history of water there and see if the Red Planet could ever have supported life.

Explanation:

Both rovers measured the type and abundance of iron-bearing minerals, some of which are associated with water-driven processes. In this way, Opportunity found the mineral jarosite and Spirit found the mineral goethite. The rovers measured chemical elements, some of which are needed for life, in rocks and soils.

With data from the rovers, mission scientists have reconstructed an ancient past when Mars was awash in water. Spirit and Opportunity found evidence for past wet conditions that could have supported microbial life.

Spirit and Opportunity were sent to Mars to find more clues about the history of water there and see if the Red Planet could ever have supported life. To do this, scientists sent the two rovers to two different landing sites. The rovers landed on opposite sides of the planet.