Dreier, Schiff Announce Passage of Resolution Celebrating the Success of the Mars Exploration Rover Missions

March 11, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Dreier (R-San Dimas, CA) and Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Pasadena, CA) announced today the unanimous passage, 421-0, of H. Res. 67, a resolution celebrating the success of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Mars exploration rover missions.  The La Canada Flintridge-based Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is managed by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).  Dreier and Schiff introduced the resolution earlier this year. 

 “When we commemorated the launch of the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity in the summer of 2003, we had high hopes for their three-month mission and what they could tell us about our neighboring planet,” Dreier said.  “Today, nearly six years after that launch, and more than five years after they landed on the surface of Mars, they are still collecting and transmitting invaluable data.  The overwhelming success of this mission is due entirely to the hard work and dedication of the very talented people at La Canada’s Jet Propulsion Lab.  Under the outstanding direction of Dr. Charles Elachi, the Mars Rovers are making yet another important contribution to Southern California’s leadership in science, technology and innovation.  This work is so important to our region because it spurs new innovation, creates good jobs and inspires new generations to pursue education and careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.”

“In January 2004 I had the privilege of being in the control room at JPL when Spirit landed in Gusev Crater,” Schiff said.  “It was an amazing experience to watch the many scientists and engineers who had worked so hard and for so long on the Rover project see the success of their efforts.  The scientific data and breathtaking images that have been produced by these two hardy machines over the last half decade are nothing short of remarkable. I am honored to work with JPL to maintain its leading role in our space program and I look forward to celebrating the end of their sixth year on the surface in January 2010.”

Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity successfully landed on Mars on January 3, 2004, and January 24, 2004, respectively, on missions to search for evidence indicating that Mars once held conditions hospitable to life.  Since then, they have relayed over a quarter million images taken from the surface of Mars.  The studies conducted by the Rovers have indicated that early Mars was characterized by meteor impacts, explosive volcanoes, and subsurface water, and have discovered geological evidence of ancient environments where conditions habitable to life may have existed.  In January of this year, Spirit and Opportunity surpassed five years of successful operation on the surface of Mars, far exceeding the original 90-day mission requirement, and are continuing their missions of surface exploration and scientific discovery.

To view a video of Congressman Dreier's remarks please click here.