Buzz
"Oppy," the second Mars Exploration Rover launched by NASA, touched down on Mars in 2004 to explore the potential for past life. NASA/JPL-CaltechOn January 24, 2004, NASA's Opportunity rover made its descent to the Martian surface, surviving a bouncy landing in the Meridiani Planum region. Scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, could finally breathe a sigh of relief. As one researcher excitedly declared, 'All right, we're on Mars!' according to a CNN report.
The $400 million rover, one of two NASA sent to the Red Planet that year, was originally designed for a brief mission on Mars' harsh terrain. In an unexpected turn of events, it operated for nearly 15 years, setting a record as the longest time any robot from Earth has worked on another planet. Its communication ceased after a violent Martian dust storm in June 2018.
After several failed attempts to regain contact, NASA announced on February 13, 2019, that Opportunity's mission was officially over. The exact cause of the rover's end remains uncertain. It's possible that Martian dust smothered its solar panels, or that the extreme Martian weather led to a failure in its electronics.
Opportunity outlasted its twin, the Spirit rover, by nearly eight years. Its final resting place was the aptly named Perseverance Valley, where the rover captured these remarkable ground-level images last January.
During its extraordinary 15-year mission, the $400 million, 384-pound (174 kilograms) rover – about the size of a golf cart – traveled a total of 28 miles (45 kilometers), far surpassing the 0.7-mile target set by scientists. It also set a Martian driving record on March 20, 2005, driving 721 feet (220 meters) in a single day. Along the way, it accomplished many impressive feats.
- It captured a wealth of images. The rover took 217,000 photos of Mars, including 15 stunning 360-degree panoramas like this one. The images, captured using a camera with 13 color filters, allowed scientists to enhance wavelengths and track changes in Martian rock formations. A collection of Opportunity's photos can be explored on NASA's website.
- It discovered the 'blueberries' of Mars. Shortly after landing, the rover found tiny hematite-rich globules, which scientists named 'blueberries' because of their shape and color. These discoveries provided crucial evidence of past water on Mars.
- It found more clues of ancient water and possibly ancient life. At Endeavor crater, Opportunity uncovered clay minerals that formed in neutral-pH water, suggesting the area may have been capable of supporting microbial life in ancient times. This discovery, detailed in a Space.com article, raises intriguing questions about the potential for life on Mars.
- It analyzed a vast number of Martian rocks. Opportunity examined the surfaces of 52 Martian rocks, revealing fresh mineral surfaces for analysis, and brushed 72 more to allow its instruments to study them more thoroughly.
- It was a remarkable climber. Opportunity exhibited exceptional agility, scaling gravel slopes as steep as 32 degrees, setting an off-Earth record, according to NASA.
- It explored a variety of craters. Throughout its journey, Opportunity studied over 100 impact craters, providing valuable insights into how craters form and change over time.
- It studied the Martian environment. Opportunity researched Martian clouds, atmospheric opacity, and their effects on solar panels. This knowledge will assist in designing future rovers that are even more resilient. It also tracked cloud patterns, helping scientists understand Martian weather.
So here's to you, Oppy. You were the greatest rover ever. Rest in peace.
In an attempt to revive Opportunity, NASA scientists sent 835 commands, but ultimately had to concede defeat. The final message transmitted from Earth was the Billie Holiday song "I'll Be Seeing You," as reported by the Washington Post.
