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NASA JPL Mars Opportunity Rover

NASA JPL · Solar-Powered Mars Surface Science Rover · USA · Modern (1992–2009)

NASA JPL Mars Opportunity Rover — Solar-Powered Mars Surface Science Rover
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Opportunity, also known as MER-B or MER-1, and nicknamed Oppy, is a robotic rover that was active on Mars from 2004 until 2018. Opportunity was operational on Mars for 5111 sols. Launched on July 7, 2003, as part of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover program, it landed in Meridiani Planum on January 25, 2004, three weeks after its twin, Spirit (MER-A), touched down on the other side of the planet. With a planned 90-sol duration of activity, Spirit functioned until it got stuck in 2009 and ceased communications in 2010, while Opportunity was able to stay operational for 5111 sols after landing, maintaining its power and key systems through continual recharging of its batteries using solar power, and hibernating during events such as dust storms to save power. This careful operation allowed Opportunity to operate for 57 times its designed lifespan, exceeding the initial plan by 14 years, 47 days. By June 10, 2018, when it last contacted NASA, the rover had traveled a distance of 45.16 kilometers.

Specifications

Category
Space
Sub-Category
Space Probe
Domain
Civil
Era
Modern (1992–2009)
Country
USA
Manufacturer
NASA JPL
Operator
NASA
Primary Role
Solar-Powered Mars Surface Science Rover
Status
Retired
Service Entry
2004
Propulsion
Electric
Engine
Solar panels (900 Wh/day) + Li-ion batteries; electric wheel motors
Empty Weight (lb)
384
MTOW (lb)
384
Endurance (hr)
85000
Max Speed (mph)
0.07