As we approach the tenth anniversary of the September 11 World Trade Center attacks (has it already been ten years??) countless hearts and minds will be remembering the fateful day our world changed forever, and the many people who tragically lost their lives in the catastrophic collapse of the twin towers. Memorial events will be held in many locations around the world… and even, in a small yet poignant way, on another world. For, unknown to many, two pieces of the World Trade Center are on the surface of Mars: one affixed to the rover Spirit which sits silently in its permanent position near a small plateau called “Home Plate” and the other on its sister rover Opportunity, currently exploring the rim of the vast Endeavour crater.
Much more than scientific exploration tools, these rovers are also interplanetary memorials to the victims of 9/11.
In September of 2001 workers at Honeybee Robotics in lower Manhattan were busy preparing the Rock Abrasion Tools that the twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity would each be equipped with, specialized instruments that would allow scientists to study the interiors of Martian rocks. After the World Trade Center attacks occurred, the company wanted a way to memorialize those who had lost their lives.
Through what was undoubtedly some incredibly skillful use of contacts, Honeybee founder and MER science team member Stephen Gorevan – on a suggestion by JPL engineer Steve Kondos and with help from the NYC mayor’s office and rover mission leader Steve Squyres – was able to procure two pieces of aluminum from the tower debris. These were fashioned into cylindrical cable shields by a contracted metal shop in Round Rock, Texas, and had American flags adhered to each by Honeybee engineer Tom Myrick.
The rovers were launched in the summer of 2003 and have both successfully operated on Mars many years past their planned initial mission timelines. Spirit currently sits silent, having ceased communication in March 2010, but Opportunity is still going strong in its exploration of the Martian surface.
“It’s gratifying knowing that a piece of the World Trade Center is up there on Mars. That shield on Mars, to me, contrasts the destructive nature of the attackers with the ingenuity and hopeful attitude of Americans.”
– Stephen Gorevan, Honeybee Robotics founder and chairman
The image above, taken in 2004, shows the cable shield with American flag on the Rock Abrasion Tool attached to Spirit.
These memorials will remain on Mars long after both rovers have ceased to run, subtle memorials to thousands of lives and testaments to our ability to forge ahead in the name of hopefulness and discovery.
Read the full story by Keith Cowing on OnOrbit.com.
Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech
This touches me.
Touching.
http://abledanger.de/
Do you think this political B.S. link belongs here in a comment section about a memorial on a Martian rover? You are a loser.
http://abledanger.de/
Government made 9/11 happen, and now they are having a memorial day every year? How hypocritical.
Government made 9/11 happen, and now they are having a memorial day every year? How hypocritical.
It is most definitely USA political/Pentagon propaganda on planet Mars with the MER rovers. The MER 9/11/01 monuments are not appropriate for a planetary science mission to Mars! Mars Attacks?
These are not political “monuments”, these are memorials by the people who worked on the components of the rovers and had their lived directly affected by the tragedies of that day. It is by them, for them, and also for all of us, past, present and future. These rovers are our generation’s legacy on Mars, it’s only fitting that they hold a piece of what shaped our society.
Politics aside – this is an amazing tribute to the American spirit!! Way to go!
Also, here’s a look at the same component on the rover Opportunity (photo edited by Stu Atkinson) http://roadtoendeavour.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/oppy-9-11.jpg
http://tinyurl.com/3tnmjr8