In the summer of 2018, the Opportunity rover had its last communications with earth when a large sandstorm engulfed it on Mars. 15 years after its initial deployment, NASA has said they will stop trying to revive the rover. The rover’s mission time was a simple 90 days but has continued on, outlasting extreme estimates.

Why was the mission time so low when it was supposed to take 6 months to even get there? Purely power. The solar powered rover was supposed to end up covered in sand and 90 days was a rough estimate. Small sandstorms with large winds blew off sand allowing Opportunity to keep chugging.

(“With this mission, more than other robotic missions, we have made that human bond, so saying goodbye is a lot harder. But at the same time, we have to remember this phenomenal accomplishment—this historic exploration we’ve done,” says John Callas, the project manager for the Mars Exploration Rovers mission.) – !1

The final data results are in and will soon be shared with the world by NASA. The public reception isn’t exactly excited about the data though, and is rather taking this as an emotional moment for the little rover that could. Many sad memories, memes, and memorandums have been produced recently in relation to the last “words” Opportunity sent back.

As the Martian storm descended on the rover and the skies were choked of all sunlight, Opportunity messaged NASA saying: “My battery is low and it’s getting dark.”

!1 https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/02/nasa-mars-rover-opportunity-dead-what-it-gave-humankind/