HAPPY BIRTHDAY OPPORTUNITY
by Hazed
It may have been overshadowed by pushy newcomer Curiosity, but the Opportunity rover is still going strong on Mars. Next week it celebrates its birthday: nine years on the red planet.
Opportunity was originally expected to survive for 90 days, so the fact that it’s still transmitting data back to scientists on Earth is astounding, particularly since it doesn’t have an internal power source, relying on solar energy and onboard batteries. It can’t gather energy during the Martian night so has to use what energy it has stored to keep its systems warm enough to function.
In its time on Mars it’s travelled just over 22 miles on the plains of Meridian. Recently it sent back images of Matijevic Hill - you can see a composite image at the source link below.
Obviously Opportunity won’t last forever because its batteries and solar panels will become less efficient, but for now, we salute the long-lived rover, and wish for many more happy birthdays!
Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/01/25/opportunity_nine_year_anniversary/
