Description: As “Opportunity” celebrates 10 years today, we take a look at the original Mars Rover “Spirit” and her exploration journey.

Source: Mashable

Date: January 24, 2014

Hanging over the stage at Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium was a giant illustration of NASA’s Opportunity rover, its name blasted in big, celebratory block letters. It was supposed to be an event solely focused on the rover, which just hit its 10-year anniversary on Mars, a feat considering it was only slated to drive for 90 days. The speakers, most of whom worked on the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) team, were given one directive: share your best stories of “Oppy,” as it’s lovingly nicknamed. Watch Video

Questions for discussion:

1. Did you find the “Spirit” landing video to be emotional?

2. Can you understand the emotion coming from the NASA scientists?