Skip Navigation
menu

Videos

Opportunity: 10 Years on Mars - Operating a Rover

January 23, 2014

See how Mars Exploration Rover team members take on the demands of driving a rover millions of miles away from Earth.

Related

The component images for this stereo, 360-degree panorama were taken by the navigation camera on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity after the rover drove about 97 feet (29.5 meters) during t...
More
The component images for this stereo, 360-degree panorama were taken by the navigation camera on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity after the rover drove about 97 feet (29.5 meters) during the mission's 3,642nd Martian day, or sol (April 22, 2014).
Opportunity's Tracks Near Crater Rim Ridgeline (Stereo)
Transverse Impulse Rocket System (TIRS) Configuration
More
Transverse Impulse Rocket System (TIRS) Configuration
Transverse Impulse Rocket System (TIRS) Configuration
This stereo scene from NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity shows part of "Marathon Valley," a destination on the western rim of Endeavour Crater, as seen from an overlook north of the valley.
More
This stereo scene from NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity shows part of "Marathon Valley," a destination on the western rim of Endeavour Crater, as seen from an overlook north of the valley.
Mars 'Marathon Valley' Overlook, in Stereo
These images of a sand "ripple" were acquired by Opportunity using its panoramic camera on sol 644 and its navigation camera on sol 645.
More
These images of a sand "ripple" were acquired by Opportunity using its panoramic camera on sol 644 and its navigation camera on sol 645.
Windblown Ripple 'Scylla'
This 360-degree panorama shows "Endurance Crater" and the surrounding plains of Meridiani Planum.
More
This 360-degree panorama shows "Endurance Crater" and the surrounding plains of Meridiani Planum.
Crater of Clues
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity set a one-day distance record for martian driving on the rover's 383rd martian day, or sol, which began on Feb. 19, 2005. Opportunity rolled 177.5 meters (...
More
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity set a one-day distance record for martian driving on the rover's 383rd martian day, or sol, which began on Feb. 19, 2005
Record Drive Day, Opportunity Sol 383 (3-D)
This full-circle panorama shows the terrain around the NASA Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity during the 3,071st Martian day, or sol, of the rover's work on Mars (Sept. 13, 2012).
More
This full-circle panorama shows the terrain around the NASA Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity during the 3,071st Martian day, or sol, of the rover's work on Mars (Sept. 13, 2012).
Opportunity's Surroundings on Sol 3071, on 'Whitewater Lake' Outcrop
This self-portrait of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity comes courtesy of the Sun and the rover's front hazard-avoidance camera.
More
This self-portrait of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity comes courtesy of the Sun and the rover's front hazard-avoidance camera.
Opportunity Catches its Shadow
Opportunity found an iron meteorite on Mars, the first meteorite of any type ever identified on another planet.
More
Opportunity found an iron meteorite on Mars, the first meteorite of any type ever identified on another planet.
Iron Meteorite on Mars
After driving uphill about 139 feet (42.5 meters) during the 3,485th Martian day, or sol, of its work on Mars (Nov. 12, 2013), NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity captured this image with its...
More
After driving uphill about 139 feet (42.5 meters) during the 3,485th Martian day, or sol, of its work on Mars (Nov. 12, 2013), NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity captured this image with its navigation camera
Tracks of a Climb on Opportunity's Sol 3485
These two images from 10 days apart show that dust was removed from the panoramic camera's calibration target on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit.
More
These two images from 10 days apart show that dust was removed from the panoramic camera's calibration target on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit.
Before and After a Cleaning Event on Spirit
This 3-D cylindrical-perspective projection was constructed from a sequence of four images taken by the navigation camera onboard the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity. The images were acquired...
More
This 3-D cylindrical-perspective projection was constructed from a sequence of four images taken by the navigation camera onboard the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity
One View, Two Craters (3-D)
The aeroshell for Mars Exploration Rover 2 rests on end after rotation in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility.
More
The aeroshell for Mars Exploration Rover 2 rests on end after rotation in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility.
Mars Exploration Rover: Bottom of aeroshell
This stunning image mosaic of the "Columbia Hills" is the first 360-degree panorama taken by Spirit after arriving at the hills.
More
This stunning image mosaic of the "Columbia Hills" is the first 360-degree panorama taken since the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit arrived at the hills over a month ago.
'Cahokia' Panorama
This false-color view was taken by the panoramic camera (Pancam) on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity on the 3,230th Martian day, or sol, of the rover's mission (Feb. 23, 2013). The rock ta...
More
This false-color view was taken by the panoramic camera (Pancam) on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity on the 3,230th Martian day, or sol, of the rover's mission (Feb. 23, 2013). The rock targets known as "Esperance6," and "Lihir," are shown.
'Esperance6' and 'Lihir' Rover Targets
With the parachute deployed, three retrorockets fire their engines, suspending the lander 30 - 50 feet above the Martian surface.
More
With the parachute deployed, three retrorockets fire their engines, suspending the lander 30 - 50 feet above the Martian surface.
Mars Exploration Rovers: Descent Artwork
The boulder-studded ridge in this scene recorded by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is "McClure-Beverlin Escarpment," informally named for Jack Beverlin and Bill McClure, engineers who on...
More
The boulder-studded ridge in this scene recorded by NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is "McClure-Beverlin Escarpment," informally named for Jack Beverlin and Bill McClure, engineers who on Feb. 14, 1969, risked their lives to save NASA's second successful Mars mission, Mariner 6, on its launch pad.
Opportunity's Southward View of 'McClure-Beverlin Escarpment' on Mars (Stereo)
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit has been making tracks on Mars for seven months now, well beyond its original 90-day mission. The rover traveled more than 3 kilometers (2 miles) to reach the "...
More
NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit traveled more than 3 kilometers (2 miles) to reach the "Columbia Hills" pictured here.
Making Tracks on Mars (3-D)
This panorama is the view NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity gained from the top of the "Cape Tribulation" segment of the rim of Endeavour Crater. The rover reached this point three weeks be...
More
This panorama is the view NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity gained from the top of the "Cape Tribulation" segment of the rim of Endeavour Crater. The rover reached this point three weeks before the 11th anniversary of its January 2004 landing on Mars.
High Viewpoint for 11-Year-Old Rover Mission on Mars
This synthetic image of the Spirit Mars Exploration Rover in the "Columbia Hills" was produced using "Virtual Presence in Space" technology.
More
This synthetic image of the Spirit Mars Exploration Rover in the "Columbia Hills" was produced using "Virtual Presence in Space" technology.
Spirit in "Columbia Hills"
The circular shapes seen on the martian surface in these images are "footprints" left by Opportunity's airbags during landing as the spacecraft gently rolled to a stop.
More
The circular shapes seen on the martian surface in these images are "footprints" left by Opportunity's airbags during landing as the spacecraft gently rolled to a stop.
Airbag Tracks on Mars
This view combines frames taken by the panoramic camera on Opportunity's 652nd through 663rd Martian days, or sols (Nov. 23 to Dec. 5, 2005), at the edge of "Erebus Crater."
More
This view combines frames taken by the panoramic camera on Opportunity's 652nd through 663rd Martian days, or sols (Nov. 23 to Dec. 5, 2005), at the edge of "Erebus Crater."
Bird's-Eye View of Opportunity at 'Erebus'
This graphic shows how the energy available to NASA’s Opportunity rover on Mars (in watt-hours) depends on how clear or opaque the atmosphere is (measured in a value called tau). When the tau value...
More
This graphic shows how the energy available to NASA’s Opportunity rover on Mars (in watt-hours) depends on how clear or opaque the atmosphere is (measured in a value called tau). When the tau value (blue) is high, the rover’s power levels (yellow) drop.
On Mars, Light Is Energy
A portion of an exposure of bedrock dubbed "Larry's Outcrop" shows little layering in this view, in contrast to nearby outcrops called "Methuselah" and "Jibsheet."
More
A portion of an exposure of bedrock dubbed "Larry's Outcrop" shows little layering in this view, in contrast to nearby outcrops called "Methuselah" and "Jibsheet."
Larry's Outcrop' in False Color
A rock with a white edge and a red center reminds us of a jelly donut in a box from the local donut shop in this image taken by Opportunity on February 4, 2014. Named “pinnacle Island” by Opportun...
More
A rock with a white edge and a red center reminds us of a jelly donut in a box from the local donut shop in this image taken by Opportunity on February 4, 2014. Named "pinnacle Island" by Opportunity's science team, this rock mysteriously appeared in an image where it had not been 4 days earlier. Scientists believe that opportunity drove over and broke a rocks in the upper part of this image, sending that piece of pastry rolling downhill.
A Sweet Find

You Might Also Like

The agency is asking the NASA community to work together to develop a revised plan that leverages innovation and proven technology.
More
NASA Sets Path to Return Mars Samples, Seeks Innovative Designs
NASA Sets Path to Return Mars Samples, Seeks Innovative Designs
NASA has proven powered, controlled flight is possible on other worlds, just as the Wright brothers proved it was possible on Earth.
More
After Three Years on Mars, NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter Mission Ends
After Three Years on Mars, NASA's Ingenuity Helicopter Mission Ends
The agency established the board in May 2023 to evaluate the technical, cost, and schedule plans prior to confirmation of the mission’s design.
More
NASA Releases Independent Review's Mars Sample Return Report
NASA Releases Independent Review's Mars Sample Return Report
A pair of quakes in 2021 sent seismic waves deep into the Red Planet’s core, giving scientists the best data yet on its size and composition.
More
NASA InSight Study Provides Clearest Look Ever at Martian Core
NASA InSight Study Provides Clearest Look Ever at Martian Core
Ten sample tubes, capturing an amazing variety of Martian geology, have been deposited on Mars’ surface so they could be studied on Earth in the future.
More
NASA's Perseverance Rover Completes Mars Sample Depot
NASA's Perseverance Rover Completes Mars Sample Depot
Filled with rock, the sample tube will be one of 10 forming a depot of tubes that could be considered for a journey to Earth by the Mars Sample Return campaign.
More
NASA's Perseverance Rover Deposits First Sample on Mars Surface
NASA's Perseverance Rover Deposits First Sample on Mars Surface