Mars crater to be explored

THE Mars rover vehicle, Opportunity, is nearing the rim of a vast crater to begin a new round of exploration.

Opportunity has been driving across the Martian plains towards the destination since 2008.

At its current pace and barring any problems, NASA thinks the six-wheel rover should reach the edge of the Endeavour crater today.

The milestone comes months after the US space agency declared Opportunity’s twin, Spirit, dead.

Spirit had been stuck in a sand trap and unresponsive for more than a year. Nasa declared the mission over in May.

In honour of Spirit, the rover team named the finish line “Spirit Point”.