Opportunity (rover) Opportunity (rover) Opportunity, also known as MER-B (Mars Exploration Rover – B) or MER-1, is a robotic rover active on Mars since 2004. Launched on July 7, 2003 as part of NASA's Mars Exploration Rover program, it landed in Meridiani Planum on January 25, 2004, three weeks after its twin "Spirit" (MER-A) touched down on the other side of the planet. With a planned 90 sol duration of activity (slightly more than 90 earth days), "Spirit" functioned until getting stuck in 2009 and ceased communications in 2010, while "Opportunity" was active as of June 10, 2018 when a dust storm
Timeline of Mars Science Laboratory atmosphere. This creates wind, which in turn stirs up more dust. This results in a feedback loop that scientists are still trying to understand. NASA reported on June 20, 2018 that the dust storm had grown to completely cover the entire planet. On June 4, 2018, NASA announced that "Curiosity" ability to drill has been sufficiently restored by engineers. The rover had experienced drill mechanical problems since December 2016. On June 7, 2018, NASA announced a cyclical seasonal variation in atmospheric methane, as well as the presence of kerogen and other complex organic compounds. The organic compounds were from mudstone