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 Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to 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.