The Life of Oppy – A Rover With a Great Purpose

NASA’s Success

Opportunity, a rover that has been exploring Mars from January 2004 until June 2018, approximately a total of 14 years. The golf cart sized rover had made some of the biggest discoveries in science as well as influential information to our world. She lived up to the title of being the longest running Mars rover. 

Opportunity was first launched sometime around 2004. She was made to travel to the Red Planet to search for the water trails that may have once occurred on Mars. Oppy was able to make some of the most valuable information to the scientists on Earth. She found clear evidence of areas on Mars that once stayed wet and had suitable living features for microorganisms. Originally, Oppy was planned to only last for a total of 90 days, but she broke that record and nearly stayed for over 14 years. Oppy was able to move across the Red Planet for more than the distance of a Marathon. She was able to make a total distance of 45.16km as for what was stated on the rover’s odometer. 

Oppy’s Discoveries

Oppy was able to play a major role in the evolution of science and uncovered the presence of water on Mars and various other evidence of ancient hydrothermal systems. Her great existence encouraged and demonstrated the possibilities of operating a rover on another planet for over decades. It made various advances to engineering and technology + communication systems as well as being able to perform more highly skilled scientific work.   

The Dust Storm

The rover was unfortunately hit by a severe dust storm that swept across Mars sometime around June of 2018. Harmful particles from the dust storm ruined and covered up the sunlight that was needed for the solar-powered rover to function properly. Solar panels were blocked and NASA lost all possible connections to Oppy. 

Scientists on Earth tried attempts after attempts to reach the rover, but none was leading to success. Opportunity was declared dead on February 13th 2019 after the engineers at NASA operated their last attempt to revive the lost rover. Final communications of Oppy came to an end on June 10th. 

Resources:

Mars Rover Opportunity – Mars Missions – NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Opportunity: Longest-Running Mars Rover | Space