The true spirit of exploration

DEMONSTRATING mankind’s unquenchable desire to explore the frontiers of space, the amazing achievement of NASA’s mission to Mars gives an exciting fillip to the new year.

In contrast with Europe’s missing and silent robot, Beagle, NASA’s aptly named Spirit probe began sending back its first images within hours of landing on the planet.

A second rover, Opportunity, is timed to land on the other side of the planet at the end of January.