The launchpads have long since cooled following the lift-off of NASA's two Mars rovers in June and July. But the spacecraft have been pressing ahead. During a summer that Americans spent lazing or working or planning vacations, the twin vehicles, dubbed Spirit and Opportunity, have traveled 137 million miles and 91 million miles, respectively (with 166 million and 192 million more to go), on their way to touchdowns on nearly opposite sides of the Red Planet on Jan. 4 and Jan. 25.
True, you have seen a Mars landing before. Pathfinder's spectacular little rover, Sojourner--a remote-controlled vehicle about the size of...
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