WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- It was a red-letter day for exploration of the red planet as the U.S. rover Spirit reached Day 1,000 of its mission in Martian time.
When Spirit landed on Mars in January 2004, NASA said it hoped to get about 90 Martian days, or sols, from the rover, Space.com said, not the 1,000 sols it reached Thursday. A day on Mars is 24 hours, 37 minutes.
Spirit's partner, Opportunity, is expected to reach its own 1,000-sol milestone in the coming weeks, Space.com said.
NASA officials said the two rovers likely could survive until January, when their operators hope to celebrate the third Earth anniversary of their arrival on Mars.
During their mission, Spirit and Opportunity returned evidence that liquid water was influential in Mars' past, Space.com said.
Spirit roamed 4.2 miles along its Gusev crater landing site, scaled one of the Columbia Hills and is preparing to move to other nearby sites, Space.com said.
Opportunity, meanwhile, roved 5.8 miles and sits on the lip of its landing site, Victoria Crater. Scientists said they hope Opportunity will move down into the crater soon, Space.com said.
