Question

landers and rovers
although orbiters can gather a lot of data about a planet from orbit, landers and rovers are currently the only way to see various features of the surface close - up, or test its composition.
landers and rovers have been sent to many parts of the solar system, including the planets, the moon, and asteroids.
exploring mars
more than ten lander or rover missions have now successfully landed on mars, more than any other planet. an enormous amount of data has been gathered about the planet as a result. this data is useful for comparing to geological processes here on earth, and in paving the way for a future manned mission to the red planet.
curiosity
uhf antenna: curiosity communicates with orbiters, which relay the signal to earth.
plutonium power source: curiosity is nuclear - powered rather than solar - powered.
mast camera: stereo cameras and a laser used to vaporize material so that its chemical makeup can be analyzed.
weather station: records wind speed and direction, air pressure, temperature and light levels.
six - wheel drive: all wheels can turn and rotate independently for better traction and maneuverability.
internal chemistry lab: for rock and soil analysis.
robotic arm: contains a camera, a drill, and x - ray equipment for determining a materials composition.
the curiosity rover (above) landed on mars in 2012 and is still operational. it is about the size of a small car and has a mass of about 899 kg. its mission is to investigate the martian climate and geology. it will examine whether the target area gale crater has ever offered environmental conditions favorable for life, e.g. water, and carry out studies relevant for any future human exploration. a more advanced version of this rover, perseverance, landed in 2021.
curiosity and perseverance are so large that parachutes were not enough to slow their descent to mars surface. instead, both used a \sky crane\ to slow the descent and lower the rovers to the ground.
curiosity and perseverance are the largest rovers to land on mars. nasas original rover, sojourner, is tiny in comparison. twin rovers, spirit and opportunity, operated between 2004 and 2010 (spirit) and 2018 (opportunity).
the perseverance rover also carried the mini helicopter, ingenuity. after completing the first powered flight on another planet, it now scouts out routes for perseverance.

1. describe the differences between landers and rovers, and their ability to gather information.

Explanation:

Landers are stationary once they touch - down and mainly gather information about their immediate location. Rovers are mobile and can explore larger areas, collecting data from multiple locations. Landers may have more specialized equipment for in - depth analysis of a single site, while rovers can survey a broader range of surface features and geological formations.

Answer:

Landers are stationary and gather information about their immediate location. Rovers are mobile and can explore larger areas and different surface features.