Opportunity took off on July 3rd, 2003 from launch complex 17 at Cape Canaveral aboard a Delta II heavy rocket as apart of the Mars Exploration Rovers mission. Opportunity landed on Mars in the Meridiani Planum 206 days later on January 25th, 2004, three weeks after its twin Spirit touched down on the other side of The Red Planet.
The Original Mission was slated to last a mere 90 days, but Opportunity pushed on for an additional 5,160 days (5022 Sols) before it’s last official transmission back home on June 10th, 2018. The rover lost contact due to a planet-wide dust storm which prevented the solar panels from recharging and heating up Opportunity.
Eight months and 835 commands later, on February 12, 2019, NASA made a last ditch effort to get in touch with the rover that ultimately wasn’t successful, declaring end of Mission on February 13, 2019. NASA felt hopeful since the storm had passed and it was usually windy on Mars at this time of year. The best explanation is that Opportunity’s solar panels are covered in a thick layer of dust, preventing Oppy from heating up and turning back on.
Opportunity holds the crown for the highest distance traveled by any rover in our solar system at 45.16 km (28.06 miles) and has helped humanity make incredible discoveries. Check out the timeline below to learn about all the Science Opportunity accomplished.
July 3, 2003
Opportunity says goodbye to Earth aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral, Flordia
January 25, 2004
Opportunity lands on The Red Planet in the Meridiani Planum
March 2, 2004
Opportunity finds evidance that Meridiani Planum once had water
June 6, 2005
Oppy was stuck in a sandtrap for more than 30 Sols, NASA decides to gun it in reverse and Oppy keeps roving on
September 27, 2006
Opportunity arrives at Victoria Crater
September 22, 2008
Opportunity begins the long drive to Endeavour Crater, a crater 20 times bigger than Victoria
May 20, 2010
Opportunity breaks Viking 1's record for longest stay on Mars of 2,245 Sols
Aug 9, 2011
Opportunity reaches the Endeavour Crater after 13-mile journey
March 24, 2015
Opportunity completes a marathon on Mars, traveling 26.2 miles (42.1 km)
June 10, 2018
Last official contact. Opportunity goes silent after a plant-wide dust storm
February 13, 2019
NASA calls Opportunity Mission complete and celebrates all that was acomplished
To learn more about Opportunity click here
We sometimes forget that behind these missions are hundreds of passionate individuals who found a purpose in learning and dedicated their careers to making our solar system feel a little bit smaller.
Thank you to everyone at NASA and JPL for inspiring a generation of scientists, engineers, and thinkers.
You left your mark on Mars and in our hearts. Sweet dreams, Oppy.
Click here to tweet #ThanksOppy.