RIP Opportunity

[tomalak301]

https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/13/nasa-mars-opportunity-rover-rip/

Just found out that the Mars Rover Opportunity was declared dead this morning. A 90 day mission turned 15 year exploration of Mars ended today and I found myself tearing up. I love what the folks at NASA JPL do and their ingenuity, creativeness, and dedication to the Mars Rover project really does make this day a little sad.

RIP to the little rover that could.

 

[Admiral2]

Opportunity, we salute you.

 

[Santaman]

The machine did well, and who knows, some glitch or so might bring it back to life.

 

[tomalak301]

The machine did well, and who knows, some glitch or so might bring it back to life.

They haven’t had contact with it since June so I doubt it. Would be cool though if they were able to revive it but it had a great run.

 

[BillJ]

That bums me out.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

These last 3 rovers that went way beyond their planned lifespans sure reversed NASA's fortunes.

Here's hoping the next ones go as long.

 

[Rincewiend]

 

['Q']

Off to Silicon Heaven you go.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Off to Silicon Heaven you go.

Has that got anything to do with being stuck opposite Brigitte Nielsen in a packed lift?

 

[BK613]

Thanks Opportunity. We expected 90 Martian days and you gave us 14 Earth years. RIP.

 

[SCE2Aux]

Had to happen at some point, but what a run it had. They really got their money's worth, and the MER teams can feel justifiably proud of their accomplishment.

14.5 years on the harsh Martian surface... well done Oppy!!

 

[Owain Taggart]

It's hard to believe it's been 15 years, but wow, what a great run it had. I still clearly remember the day when it landed. It certainly went above and beyond.

 

[tavor]

curious if it comes back to life at later date will there be anyone at control center to hear/respond to it

 

[publiusr]

I wondered if it was just going to keep going and... https://xkcd.com/1504/

Nice tributes here:
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=42774.260

Some felt more for Oppy than they do for Curiosity....

I have a sin to confess.

During the bad old Dan Goldin days--I had a mad-on towards Delta II. It seemed like a crutch. A lot of planetary scientists were hating on shuttle-derived heavy lift's budget (along with EELV hacks) and I called the Delta II a sounding rocket and called Spirit and Opp "bomb disposal robots."

I really regret that now.