News Planetary Science Spirit Gets Its Wheels Dirty: Mars rover begins scientific work By Ron Cowen January 21, 2004 at 9:50 am - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print A tiny visitor to Mars last week ventured off its landing pad and sank its six wheels into the planet’s rust-colored dirt. This week, Spirit, the rover that NASA landed on Mars on Jan. 3 (SN: 1/10/04, p. 22: Available to subscribers at A Tale of Two Landers: NASA’s Spirit phones home, but Europe’s Beagle 2 remains mum on Mars), went for its first stroll.