Opportunity Lost

[DarkArts]

So it looks like, barring a miracle, Mars rover Opportunity will soon be declared lost after suffering a massive Mars dust storm eight months ago, the same storm that affected views of Mars during the 2018 opposition.

NASA about to pull plug on Mars rover Opportunity after it was silenced by immense dust storm (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-13/nasa-about-to-pull-plug-on-silent-mars-rover/10807500)

Still, 15 years on Mars is a pretty amazing achievement for a "career" (primary mission) that was supposed to last three months. I guess in "dog" years, Opportunity was 500+ years old at the close ...

[Multiverse]

Only a three month mission? That surprises me - would have thought with the huge investment costs of construction & launch it would be designed for a longer life.

[DarkArts]

90 days ...

[AndyG]

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry...

[Shano592]

The Hubble Telescope was the same. It was never meant to still be running after 29 years. I think JWT was supposed to replace it at least 5 years ago, but Hubble's original plan was for no more than about 10 years, I think.

Oh, if only they could build such wild underestimations into motor vehicles, or home appliances...

[DarkArts]

Agreed! Wouldn't that be nice for a change. Still, in my case, I'm running a laptop and a car both from 2001 ... so some things last.

[leon]

A total wast of money, spend it on the poor and homeless.:)

Mars is totally inhabitable so why would some one spend so much money on a desolate dry dusty piece of rock, it really is beyond me :sadeyes:

It is just stupid that anyone here on this forum agrees with this idea of planting a human on this rock.

The billions spent could feed millions of starving people it is about time some one got it right :sadeyes:

And i really don't care if that stupid rover they sent up there died, so would we all :screwy:

Leon :thumbsup:

[AndyG]

:confuse3:

[DarkArts]

This thread has nothing to do with human space exploration.

[Multiverse]

Mmm, so going by that thinking would you also say the moon landings were a waste of money?! What about all the spin offs from these investments? I respect your view but find it surprising for an astronomer.
There will always be disadvantaged/poor people on earth so I guess we will never get a chance to space travel then?
We explore because we are curious (what a waste of our advanced civilization if we never explore). Gaining knowledge from these endeavours is priceless.

[StuTodd]

Mars has never failed to disappoint, especially visually.

And is probably why we'll find some bloody good solar system science there one day.

[Ukastronomer]

That old rubbish, the money would NOT be spent feeding people and when we have overpopulated to the point when we cant feed all the population we have and no space to have more, do you condone forced sterilisation

[redbeard]

I laughed, great cartoon!