Merritt Island in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Mars Exploration Rover

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, June 24, 2021

1. Mars Exploration Rover Marker

Inscription. After six month journey’s NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, landed on Mars in January, 2004. Initially intended to last 92 days, both rovers exceeded expectations with Spirit lasting six years and Opportunity exploring the Red Planet for nearly 15 years.

The LEGO Company built this full scale model in 2002 based on an image provided by NASA.

Overall, the model is the proper size and shape with all instruments, components and structures represented to scale. A few small details are not perfectly accurate as the rover design changed slightly during development.

This model weighs 290 lbs./ 130 kg. The actual rover weighs 410 lbs./ 185 kg.

It is made of approximately 90,000 LEGO elements requiring 650 man-hours to construct – a three month process for the LEGO master builder team.

Erected by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space.

Location. 28° 31.456′ N, 80° 40.904′ W. Marker is on Merritt Island, Florida, in Brevard County. It can be reached from Space Commerce

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Way 1.2 miles south of NASA Parkway West, on the left when traveling east. Located in the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex at the NASA Central Building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Merritt Island FL 32953, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s Space Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Back On Top (here, next to this marker); Orion (within shouting distance of this marker); SATAN Tracking Antenna (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); NASA’s Jet Set (about 300 feet away); Swords Into Plowshares (about 400 feet away); Aiming at the Heavens (about 500 feet away); Shooting the Moon, Dreaming of Stars

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, June 24, 2021

2. Mars Exploration Rover Marker

(about 500 feet away); Delta II: By The Numbers (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Merritt Island.

Also see . . . Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Submitted on July 12, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Mars Exploration Rover full scale model image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, June 24, 2021

3. Mars Exploration Rover full scale model

Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 276 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 12, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.