Mars rover “Opportunity” and its brother “Spirit” landed on Red Planet in January 2004. Originally, six-wheeled size of golf-card rovers had to look for past water activity on Mars. Mission was planned for 4 months. Spirit last contact with Earth on the 10th of March 2010, almost 6 years after its original warranty has expired.
Endeavour’s Crater, Mars Credits: NASA
Opportunity is still in business and up until now has driven a bit more than 34 km on the Martian surface. Rover Opportunity started moving two weeks ago, after 4 months of Martian winter which it spent along Greeley Haven, next to Edeavour’s rim.
Mars traveler has reached western edge of crater named Edneavour and took this amazing picture. Opportunity has been exploring its outcrops since August 2011.
This picture has been composed out of many images taken with panoramic camera at local Martian time of 4:30 to 5 p.m. It has fake colors to show difference in terrain and light.
Soon our small travel hero will have a company – Curiosity, latest rover from NASA will land on the Red Planet on the night of August 5th. Curiosity is one ton car-size rover which will look for evidence of microbial life. Good luck, guys!
