Progress report
While its sister rover, Spirit, ceased communications as of 2011, Opportunity still ventures across the Martian surface to this day. “Opportunity is on the rim of an ancient eroded crater rim called the Endeavour
Crater,” Golombek explains. “It is traversing down the rim into the interior along a valley [Perseverance Valley]. We are trying to determine if the valley was carved by running water, mud flows, dry flows or wind.”
This will not be an easy journey though; in fact, it’s going to need a lot of the valley’s namesake. Getting down the valley is one question, but the scientists are very wary of a way they can get out of it as well. This involves Opportunity taking a lot of images with its Pancam, with scientists carefully inspecting the surrounding environment and then determining the best course of action.
The record-breaking rover has already travelled 45 kilometres (28 miles) at this point, but NASA’s scientists still plan to examine the Perseverance Valley as intensely as possible. Unfortunately, it is currently winter at Opportunity’s current location, which is a problem for the rover's power. This means that the rover’s solar panels will struggle to gather enough power to cover great distances, especially as it’s slowly feeling the effects of time. “It is currently winter in the southern hemisphere, so power levels are low, and the rover stops on north facing slopes to improve solar power,” says Golombek.
At the start of the mission, Opportunity’s solar panels could provide 900 watt-hours to recharge the batteries and power system in one Sol, but the latest update shows that the energy production is at a mere 283 watt-hours. With this to consider,
JPL’s scientists have to be very considerate when controlling the rover. Even if the battery capacity is slowly decreasing, the scientific instruments are still in good condition. All the spectrometers and cameras are functioning properly as it attempts to find more signs of ancient water.
“We are trying to determine if the valley was carved by running water, mud flows or wind” Matthew Golombek
Victoria Crater
On 26 September 2006, Opportunity arrived at the 700-metre Victoria Crater. The geologic results from this crater suggest that the sediments were deposited by wind and altered by groundwater.
Santa Maria Crater
Satellites and rovers team up for extraterrestrial exploration. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter detected water-bearing minerals in the Santa Maria crater, and then Opportunity went in to investigate further.
Endeavour Crater
After travelling 28 kilometres (17 miles) from the original landing site, Opportunity finally arrived at the monstrous Endeavour Crater. The results gathered here gave scientists the strongest evidence yet for a watery past.
Crossing the finish line
Some 42 kilometres (26 miles) later, Opportunity became the first extraterrestrial rover to complete a marathon. Although the scientists are more focused on the scientific yield, this is still an incredible achievement for all involved.