Spacecraft Design
The Mars Exploration Rover was designed to be stowed in the nose of a Delta II rocket. Each spacecraft consists of several components:
- Rover: 185 kg (408 lb)
- Lander: 348 kg (767 lb)
- Backshell / Parachute: 209 kg (461 lb)
- Heat Shield: 78 kg (172 lb)
- Cruise Stage: 193 kg (425 lb)
- Propellant: 50 kg (110 lb)
- Instruments: 5 kg (11 lb)
Total mass is 1,063 kg (2,343 lb).
Read more about this topic: Mars Exploration Rover
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