Mars Rover- Opportunity

For this week’s blog post I wanted to check out and share Opportunity, Nasa’s Mars rover. On July 07, 2003 Nasa launched two rovers from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. Nasa sent these rovers, the second being Opportunity, to Terra Meridiana a region on the surface of Mars. The mission was originally planned to be 90 days. The rover was to land on the surface and traverse the terrain searching for signs of life. Opportunity is still operating and continuing its mission to this day nearly a decade and a half later. The rover is currently in the Endeavour Crater.

In line with Opportunity’s mission, the rover had made several important discoveries. The rover uncovered sensational evidence that Mars had in its past, “stayed wet for an extended period and that conditions could have been suitable for sustaining microbial life.”

Opportunity found this evidence utilizing its sensors and powered by its solar cells mounted on top of its structure. The rover’s scientific instruments include a: panoramic camera, microscopic imager, Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES), Mossbauer Spectrometer (MB), Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT), Magnet arrays, Hazard Avoidance Cameras (Hazcams), Navigation Cameras (Navcams). Many of these tools are to perform scientific tests on its environment and determine scientific data, while some of the sensors are to keep the rover safe and provide the capability to travel and navigate. Similar to some of the current UAS or drone markets platforms with sense and avoid.

Resources:

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/mars-exploration-rover-opportunity-mer/