Opportunity Makes an Amazing Lifetime Achievement
Last week marked Sol 5000 for the Opportunity Rover on Mars. It’s been rolling along ever since it landed there in January 2004, sending back images and data about the area around Endurance crater. Bear in mind that Opportunity (Mars Exploration Rover-B) was originally slated for a 90-day mission. But, like so many other NASA missions to other worlds, it has just gone on and on, like that famed Energizer Bunny. Now, it’s a “teenager” celebrating its 14th birthday on the dusty planet.
The rover has accomplished a lot in those 14 years, traveling more than 45 kilometers (28 miles) in all that time. It has survived dust storms, temperature shifts, and technical issues, all the while sending back a constant array of information. That’s a major accomplishment.
Long-term Exploration
Planetary scientists know that the best chances for getting complete details about a world’s conditions come from doing long-period studies. Doing a flyby gets you a quick snapshot. Sending a probe that lands moves around and samples the conditions gets you “ground truth.” Of course, it’s more expensive and time-consuming to do it that way, but it provides a very detailed look at a complex environment. It’s worth it, especially if future human missions land there and can take advantage of the rich data provided. Planetary science is no longer in the “plant the flag, grab some rocks, get your hiney back to Earth” stage. We’re maturing (we hope) as a scientific civilization, and can take the time needed to do it right.
In a decade, humans will head to Mars. Heck, they may train on the Moon. Before they go, like any other travelers who head to strange new places, they’ll need all the information they can get. That’s where teen-aged Opportunity, her sister Curiosity, and the various orbiters circling Mars will come in handy. I don’t know about you, but I were heading out to the wild unknown on Mars, I’d rather have it be a bit better “known.” So, here’s to Oppy. It’s been a great run and I hope it continues running for a long, long time.
Want to see everything Oppy and her sister ships have been doing? Check out the NASA Mars pages!
The post Opportunity Makes an Amazing Lifetime Achievement appeared first on .
Source: http://thespacewriter.com/wp/2018/02/18/opportunity-makes-an-amazing-lifetime-achievement/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!
Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!
HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.
Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.
MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)
Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!
Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.
Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).