It was seven years ago last Tuesday that the Mars rover Opportunity landed on the red planet and it’s still going strong. Along with its twin, Spirit, the two were only meant to last for three months and have far exceeded what anyone thought possible (Spirit, unfortunately, hasn’t been heard from in almost a year). Opportunity now sits at the rim of the crater Santa Maria, 26.7 kilometers (16 and a half miles) from its starting point. We here at the Strang Institute Mission Control can only hope Ellie lasts that long!
Here’s a panoramic pic from Opportunity at the edge of the crater via The Astronomy Picture of the Day!
Congratulations Opportunity and everyone at JPL!
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