Roving Mars

Roving Mars is a 2006 IMAX documentary film about the development, launch, and operation of the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity. The film uses few actual photographs from Mars, opting to use computer generated animation based on the photographs and data from the rovers and other Mars probes. The film has been released on Blu-ray disc by distributor Disney.

Plot
For centuries human beings have contemplated Earth's nearest planetary neighbor, Mars, dreaming impossible dreams of exploring its surface and divining its mysteries. Now the impossible has become possible. The Mars mission, which sent two intrepid, death-defying explorers--Spirit and Opportunity, the mars rovers--to the Red Planet was documented. Through the eyes of these remarkable robots, viewers can now see Mars in a way that no one ever has. This important expedition accomplished far more than the simple transmission of thousands of Martian images. The rovers actually discovered traces of ice within the rocks of Mars. The discovery marked clear proof that water once ran on the surface--a giant leap forward in answering that most haunting of questions: Is there life on Mars?

Cast

 * Paul Newman as Introduction by
 * Steve Squyres as Himself
 * Rob Manning as Himself
 * Charles Elachi as Himself (as Dr. Charles Elachi)
 * Wayne Lee as Himself

Production Credits

 * Directed by George Butler
 * Produced by George Butler
 * Frank Marshall
 * Written by Robert Andrus
 * George Butler
 * Music by Philip Glass
 * Cinematography T.C. Christensen
 * Editing by Nancy Baker
 * Studio Cinegate
 * Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures
 * The Kennedy/Marshall Company
 * Release Date: 27 January 2006
 * Running time 40 minutes
 * Country United States
 * Language English

Box Office
Roving Mars has made over US10 million as of January 25, 2009.