In the Eyes of a Mars Rover
by Brian Breckner
I am a Mars Rover, and I was built to explore the many mysteries of Mars. My life has been filled with many wonders, like how I was created and what I look like, my launch and journey through space, and my life and discoveries on Mars.
My name is "Odyssey," and I was built to explore Mars. I was created at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. I have six wheels, a base, a camera and video tape, an antenna, and solar panels. My wheels will help me get around the rocky terrain of Mars. My base or "body," is what supports all of my parts. My camera and video tape allow me to take pictures of anything important. My antenna is for remote control. Lastly, my solar panels give me the power to function. I will need to use all of these parts for this dangerous mission through the unknown.
On launch day I was brought to a rocket. I was placed inside and strapped in, for it would be a bumpy ride. I heard a countdown somewhere in the distance ...10...9...8...I thought to myself. "This is going to be exciting"...7...6...5...4..."I finally get to do what I was created to do"...3...2 "Well, here I go!"...1... initiate launch! The engine roared and before I knew it I was in the air. I could see the world around me, slowly getting smaller and smaller. I passed the clouds and suddenly everything went dark and quiet. I was finally in space. It was so peaceful. Then, I started heading off towards Mars. It took a while but I was almost halfway there. Suddenly big rocks started flying by... asteroids! We must be in the Asteroid belt, I thought. We almost crashed a few times, but we got through. A little while longer, and we will be on Mars, I thought.
Finally after a few more days of flying through space, I could see the red planet. As I neared it, my rocket's front popped open, and I was shot out. I could feel myself falling through the sizzling hot atmosphere. As I neared the bottom, my parachute shot out of the trunk of my base. I was also assisted by rockets that came out of my sides. Finally as I was about to hit the ground, my airbags came out, and I bounced and bounced until I came to a slow stop. I was finally here, my mission had truly begun.
I traveled for days, searching for signs of life, but suddenly, one of my wheels got stuck. My creators eventually got me out though. I have recently taken pictures of what my creators believe to be an "alien." I have also taken pictures of many more important things. It has been a long time that I have spent here on Mars, but now I must power down, and survive the cold Martian winter. But before I go, I have one last message.
"My journey has been going on for four long years; I have far exceeded my life's expectations. I have sent back to my creators incredible amounts of information about the red planet. Will man find life on Mars or any other planets? For centuries they have looked up to the heavens for answers to this wondrous question, perhaps they will, or perhaps not."