As two Nasa robotic vehicles head towards a landing on the red planet early next year , it’s thanks in part to South African boffins. Crucial information from the Delta II spacecraft – which carries Spirit, the robotic explorer vehicle – was monitored and relayed to Cape Canaveral in the US by the CSIR at Hartebeeshoek in Gauteng and by arms manufacturer Denel from its advanced test range near Bredasdorp.