Opportunity Marks 13 Years on Mars →

Curt Godwin:

NASA’s Mars rover Opportunity might never be classified as speedy, averaging only slightly more than 2 miles (3.36 kilometers) per year since its landing on Jan. 25, 2004, at 05:05 UTC. Nevertheless, what the stalwart explorer lacks in range is more than made up with its longevity. Opportunity—also known as Mars Exploration Rover – B (MER-B)—has been in active operation on the Red Planet for 13 years, far exceeding the original planned mission of 90 sols (approximately 92 Earth days, with each sol being a full Martian day, lasting 24 hours, 39 minutes, and 35 seconds).

What a machine.