My Pick of Pic's December 7, 2003 Journey to Mars - Egress Once the rover is on the surface, it will be the job of mission operations to determin its status. When the rover checks out with a clean bill of health, it will survey its surroundings. Then it is off the landing platform and onto the mission - explore Mars in a way that has never been attempted before. Not even Pathfinder compares to what awaits us with the Mars Exploration Rover mission. Previous Images in the Journey to Mars Series Blastoff Third Stage Engine Ignition Mars Atmospheric Entry Terminal Desent Touchdown Mars Exploration Rover Mars Web @ JPL