Description: A trail of smoke is all that identifies the Delta II rocket with the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit aboard as it hurtles into space. Liftoff occurred on time at 1:58 p.m. EDT June 10, 2003, from Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Spirit was the first of two rovers launched to Mars in the summer of 2003. Spirit and its twin, Opportunity, landed on opposite sides of the planet in January 2004. Spirit's destination was Gusev Crater, which appears to have been a crater lake.
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Credit: NASA
Image Number: KSC-03pd1892
Date: June 10, 2003