It's been a week since NASA's 15 years long, Opportunity Rover mission - which was based Mars, ended. This mission, named Opportunity, was just to explore the red planet. Along with seeking out historic evidence of Mars's climate and water sites. The mission saw two robot - no bigger that a golf-cart, sent to Mars. One was the rover named Opportunity. The other twin rover was named Spirit. 'Oppy' (Opportunity's nick name) landed on Mars on the 25th of January 2004 while Spirit landed 20 days earlier (5th January). Both of these robots were only meant to last 90 days as well as travel up 1,100 yards (1,000 metres/0.6 miles). Yet, Oppy and Spirit surpassed all expectations. Spirit travelled 5 miles before the robot's mission was concluded in May 2011. But, Oppy kept going... And going! He lived 60 times longer as well as traveling 28 miles - ending up in it's final resting spot which is a landmark on Mars called Preservation Valley. How poetic!
Since the day when Oppy landed, there were a team of engineers, Rover drivers and Scientists on Earth which were collaborating to overcome challenges as well as getting Oppy to the sites to explore.
Opportunity stopped it's communication back to earth in June 2018 when a severe dust storm blanketed Opportunity's area. The engineers in the Space Flight Operations Facility at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory tried to fix the stranded robot. They sent over one thousand commands in order to restore contact. However, the engineers made their last attempts to revive Opportunity last Tuesday. Sadly the little robot didn't respond.
Opportunity sent it's last message to Earth on the 10th of June. The message resonated with people - Me too. I gain some sympathy for little Opportunity who was so far from home. It wasn't just me though. Reddit and twitter exploded with comics along with drawings celebrating the work which Opportunity did.
Some of Oppy Achievements
For photos - Click Here
Some of Oppy's Tributes
It's such a silly thing to be sad about the loss of a robot. But, I too feel for Oppy. I know that it's only a robot which no actually feeling or thought. Though it does feel a bit like leaving Wall-e without Eve for any company. Opportunity was on Mars for 15 years. Now, I'm only 22. Oppy has been on Mars for more time then both of my sisters have been on Earth.
Although, Oppy has gone - like Thomas Zurbuchen said (Source), the knowledge and legacy of the rover will continue with the Curiosity Rover.
I hope you enjoy as much as I did, these tributes to Opportunity.
Since the day when Oppy landed, there were a team of engineers, Rover drivers and Scientists on Earth which were collaborating to overcome challenges as well as getting Oppy to the sites to explore.
Opportunity stopped it's communication back to earth in June 2018 when a severe dust storm blanketed Opportunity's area. The engineers in the Space Flight Operations Facility at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory tried to fix the stranded robot. They sent over one thousand commands in order to restore contact. However, the engineers made their last attempts to revive Opportunity last Tuesday. Sadly the little robot didn't respond.
Spent the evening at JPL as the last ever commands were sent to the Opportunity rover on #Mars. 💔— Dr. Tanya Harrison (@tanyaofmars) 13 February 2019
There was silence. There were tears. There were hugs. There were memories and laughs shared.#ThankYouOppy #GoodnightOppy pic.twitter.com/JYRPtKZ8T5
Opportunity sent it's last message to Earth on the 10th of June. The message resonated with people - Me too. I gain some sympathy for little Opportunity who was so far from home. It wasn't just me though. Reddit and twitter exploded with comics along with drawings celebrating the work which Opportunity did.
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| The Rovers which have touched Mars. All compared to Opportunity. (Credit: Daily Mail/NASA) |
Some of Oppy Achievements
- Set a one-day Mars driving record on the 20th of March 2005 - travelled 721 feet (220metres)
- Returned more than 217,000 images (Includes 15 360 degree photos)
- It found Hematite at it's landing site - a mineral found in water
- It found strong indication of ancient water similar to drinkable water of a pond or lake on Earth
For photos - Click Here
Some of Oppy's Tributes
It's such a silly thing to be sad about the loss of a robot. But, I too feel for Oppy. I know that it's only a robot which no actually feeling or thought. Though it does feel a bit like leaving Wall-e without Eve for any company. Opportunity was on Mars for 15 years. Now, I'm only 22. Oppy has been on Mars for more time then both of my sisters have been on Earth.
Although, Oppy has gone - like Thomas Zurbuchen said (Source), the knowledge and legacy of the rover will continue with the Curiosity Rover.
I hope you enjoy as much as I did, these tributes to Opportunity.
— XKCD Comic (@xkcdComic) 13 February 2019
— Olivia Fleury (@babyolive87) 15 February 2019
— Queen in the Northside (@TravelByBubble) 16 February 2019
Roses are Red
Mars is too
Goodbye, Oppy
We all love you.
— Rogue NASA (@RogueNASA) 15 February 2019
Mars is too
Goodbye, Oppy
We all love you.
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