RIP Opportunity, the Little Mars Rover That Could

NASA is preparing to say goodbye to their beloved Mars rover Opportunity, which appears to have reached the end of its long exploratory life on the red planet. Opportunity, also known as MER-B (Mars Exploration Rover) or Oppy, launched on July 7, 2003, traveling through space until it landed on Mars on January 25, 2004. Its twin rover, Spirit, had landed three weeks earlier on the other side of the planet.

Opportunity and Spirit were built to last 90 days, but Opportunity far exceeded that number, roving for nearly 15 years. That’s three presidents ago. Opportunity traveled roughly 28 miles before an intense dust storm on June 10, 2018 sent the rover into hibernation. With dust covering its solar panels, Opportunity went silent.

Since last summer, NASA has sent over 1,000 commands to the rover, and have received no response. Today in a press conference, they are expected to bid the six-wheeled rover farewell.

Project manager John Callas said, “It’s just like a loved one who’s gone missing, and you keep holding out hope that they will show up and that they’re healthy … But each passing day that diminishes, and at some point you have to say ‘enough’ and move on with your life.”

In addition to its unprecedented lifespan, Opportunity provided the world with valuable geological information about Mars. The rover discovered extramartian meteorites such as Heat Shield Rock (Meridiani Planum meteorite). It also discovered evidence that there was once water on Mars, which may have been a possible breeding ground for extraterrestrial life.

Deputy project scientist Abigail Fraeman said, “It gives you an idea just how long this mission has lasted. Opportunity’s just been a workhorse … it’s really a testament, I think, to how well the mission was designed and how careful the team was in operating the vehicle.”

Many people took to Twitter to mourn Opportunity and its historic run:

No, I’m not crying over a Mars rover, YOU’RE crying. RIP Oppy, you were the best rover that ever rovered.

(via AP, image: NASA/JPL/Cornell University)

Want more stories like this? Become a subscriber and support the site!

—The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—

Have a tip we should know? tips@themarysue.com

Author

Close

Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

twitter