The Opportunity Rover is the second of two vehicles that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is keeping an eye on as it explores Mars’ surface. This rover landed on the surface of Mars on January 25, 2004, for a mission that would last 90 sols, or Martian days, or 92.46 Earth days. Opportunity and its sister rover, Spirit, lasted much longer than that, with exploration continuing for another five years.
The primary goal of the Opportunity and Spirit rovers is to provide a detailed account of Mars’ surface. Understanding the composition of the planet’s surface can aid scientists in determining a time frame for the planet’s formation, providing more evidence for theories about the solar system’s formation. One hope was to use rock and mineral deposits to discover if water, and possibly life, existed on Mars at one point in time, similar to how rock beds on Earth can reveal areas that once held swamps.
The six wheels on the Opportunity rover help it roll over the rocky Martian surface with more stability. It gets its energy from solar panels on the outside and rechargeable lithium ion batteries that keep it going in the evenings. Opportunity uses two antennas to communicate with Earth. The rover is equipped with two cameras: a panoramic camera for looking around the area and a navigational camera to help with driving. A Mini-TES, or miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer, can examine rock and soil up close and determine how it was formed.
The Opportunity rover also has a research arm that is equipped with a variety of instruments. A Mössbauer Spectrometer is used to examine rocks and minerals in great detail. Magnets are used to collect any dust containing metallic properties. A Rock Abrasion Tool shaves away layers of rock, revealing new material beneath the surface. The elements inside rock and soil can be analyzed using an Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer. Finally, a Microscopic Imager provides detailed images of the rock and soil from a close distance.
Scientists have been able to go far beyond their initial exploration plans thanks to the rovers’ increased usability. Among the places visited by the Opportunity rover are the Eagle Crater, the Heat Rock Shield, Endurance Crater, Erebus Crater, and Victoria Crater. It has captured numerous panoramic images of Mars’ surface, providing invaluable firsthand accounts of the planet’s makeup. Opportunity has provided new information about the makeup of Mars and its surrounding atmosphere, as well as significant proof of past water on the red planet.