The Mars rover Opportunity is now ready to begin exploring the Victoria Crater in a multi-week mission on the inner slope of the bowl. Opportunity was required to test its maneuvers and check for wheel slippage at the rim of the Crater before engaging in this mission. Opportunity started its decent into the Crater with two of its six wheels below the rim and finished the day 20 feet below its starting location. The first destination is a striated layer of exposed rock that may hold answers to interactions between Martian atmosphere and the surface millions of years ago. NASA engineers have ensured that a safe route to the rock formation exists and over the coming weeks, Opportunity will seek answers and explore the interior of Victoria Crater.
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