In the spring of 2003, twin Mars Exploration Rovers will be launched to the ‘red planet,’ marking the start of a journey to return to Mars. The two rovers will bounce to a stop on Mars in January, 2004, and begin dual 90-day odysseys over the planet’s terrain. Equipped with numerous instruments, ranging from a stereo-mounted camera to a microscopic imager, the rovers will traverse the surface and serve as remote ‘field geologists.’ John Grant will discuss the mission and its science goals, and review the varied landing sites that await the intrepid rovers. This is the third lecture in this four-part series.